“We Can Sing in the Sonshine”
May 24, 2009
“When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126
“Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”
Psalm 8:20-21
Last week I had the blessing to go camping with my grandson, Nate. Nate is almost six and loves camping, grandpa, and kittens. So we camped down by Castle Crags Creek near John. John, it just so happens, has kittens at his house. You can imagine what a good time Nate had with those 5 little kittens. He would put them in a bag and carry them to our tent and play with them for awhile and then bring them back to John’s for a bit – then do it all over. His giggling and laughter brought joy to my heart. John and I were cheered just watching and listening to him. It blessed me to see my greatly loved grandson blessed.
Do you think it may be that way with God? Could it be that the Father loves us so much that He delights in our laughter? I think so. As a grandpa, and as a father, I have had to be stern and strict. I’ve had to administer corrective action in the form of a spanking or scolding or separation – like time out. My kids and grandkids know that there is a line they better not cross – or they will regret it in some painful way. Do they fear me? Are they afraid of me? No – not one of them are afraid of me. But they respect me. They are aware of that side of gramps. But they seldom see that side anymore – they have learned to obey and follow my instructions – so we can sing in the sunshine and laugh everyday.
I think it is that way with our heavenly Father. He loves to hear our laughter and see us filled with joy. He does everything He can to bring us to this state. He not only died for us and took our punishment on Himself, He sent us the Holy Spirit to fill us and comfort us and lead us. I wrote a song a couple of weeks ago, “Called We Can Sing in the Sonshine” (sung to the tune of “We can Sing in the Sunshine”). It has some of the reasons we sing and laugh and dance for joy.
The first reason is there IS a God above us. The creator of all this beauty around us is here. He lives! The prophet asks:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28
There is a God above us. David says,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4a
There is a God above us. Paul writes:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:18-20
There is a God above us. Some people refuse to see Him. They choose to believe the truth is a lie and a lie is the truth. But it is plain. God made it clear. But rebellion separates us from God. Wickedness separates from God. It is plain to all who would see. There is a God above us – and that is cause for rejoicing.
The second verse of my song goes: “He’ll sing to you each mornin’. He’ll shield you at night. And Darlin’ when you’re frightened, In His arms He’ll hold you tight.”
Have you ever had God hold you in His arms? Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit envelop you in His love and comfort you? Jesus said,
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (Comforter) to be with you for ever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17
The Christian is never alone. If you are walking in obedience – you are never alone. Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in your soul. Or maybe I should say “Jesus” has come to live in your heart – because Jesus and the Spirit are one and the same. “The Spirit is the Lord”, the bible says. So you need never be alone again. Notice that the Holy Spirit’s presence is prefaced with obedience. The Holy Spirit can only indwell those who obey Him, Acts 5:9 says. But if you are walking in obedience – if you are walking in that love relationship – you are never alone. Jesus said, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:20) These are Jesus’ last words recorded by Matthew. Notice He uses the ‘omnipresent’ words “I AM”. He uses God’s name. He once again reiterates that He is God – and He promises that He will always be with you – to the very end. You are never alone.
And He’ll sing to you each morning. David said,
“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.’ Psalm 23:7
Job says God gives songs in the night. (Job 35:10) One of my favorite Scriptures (Psalm 84:11) reveals to us that God shields us from danger. It says,
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
Psalm 84:11
Are you beginning to see what a wonderful and marvelous God is our Creator and Father? He cradles us in his arms like a loving father. Someone wrote about being sheltered in the arms of God. Someone else wrote about us being in the hollow of his hand. When we are God’s child – we are in His care and protection. The enemy shoots fiery darts at us – but God is our shield.
David writes: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12
Paul writes: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
We can sing in the Sonshine because God shields us and protects us in His loving arms. Like any good father – He allows just enough trial and stress in our lives to give us opportunity to grow and mature. But He shields us from the bad stuff.
In the third verse I sing about God’s promise to never leave us. This is what the Bible says,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Joshua 1:6,8
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6
The Child of God is never alone. It may seem like it sometimes. It may ‘feel’ like we have been abandoned – that is a part of growing spiritually mature. Even Jesus prayed, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” David said, “I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.” (Psalm 102:7)
It may ‘seem’ like we are all alone and God has abandoned us – but He hasn’t. It may be at those times He is really closest – as the poem “Footprints in the Sand” suggests.
In the last verse of my song I write “He’ll kiss you each mornin’. He’ll sing to you at night.” What is a kiss? Have you every thought about it? It is an expression of love and affection. Does God reveal to you each morning that He loves you? He does to me. I look out my window at my plum tree in my side yard and birds are singing and playing in it. Sometimes it is full of fragrant blooms. Other times it is full of delicious fruit. Out my patio door I look over my peach trees and apples trees and cherry trees at majestic Mount Shasta – one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. And I stand in awe of God – and I am blessed. I realize that God loves me so much and expresses it in so many ways. The creation declares, not only the glory of God; the creation reveals, not only the divinity of God; the creation also reveals the love of God. You are loved by Almighty God. Is that not cause to sing in the Sonshine?
And God sings songs to us, as I mentioned. Job talked about God singing songs in the night. I think it is kind of like a lullaby singing us to sleep when we are restless. David said,
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7)
“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me…” Psalm 42:8
“Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.” Psalm 65:8
We can sing in the Sonshine – because God is singing to us. He sings to us each morning. He sings to us through out the day and when we are sleeping peacefully, He is there beside us singing.
Isn’t God great! But there is more! He will soon be in sight. He is coming back! Listen.
“… he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” John 14:1-3
Paul wrote: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
We can sing in the Sonshine because Jesus is coming back – soon!
In my song, I don’t want to give them impression that we are to sit back and sing joyful songs while the rest of the world literally and figuratively goes to hell. We are the salt – the preservers of the earth. We are to work hard at sharing the Good News. We are to work hard at growing spiritually. We are to make every effort to produce the fruits of the Spirit. But we can do it with a song – because God loves us so much.
Have you received His love? Have you been adopted into His happy eternal family? If you haven’t, or if you have slipped away from Him – why not return right now. Just pray a prayer like this:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for all the many blessings I usually take for granted. Please forgive me of my sin. Restore to me the JOY of your salvation. Fill me with your love and your song. I promise to walk in your will from this moment on – with Your help. Use me to accomplish your will. Help me to live my life so that it glorifies your Name.
In Jesus Name,
