HoHum:
Kory Wilcoxon- Gary, who was in his 50s, was mentally disabled, and had the mental capacity of a six- or seven-year-old. He also had one of the worst singing voices I’ve ever heard. His singing was slurred and never close to the right key. And he didn’t have the social development to recognize his lack of singing ability. So he just sang loud. Very loud.
One Sunday, without thinking, I sat down in front of Gary. When the opening hymn started, I realized my mistake. I settled into a spirit of annoyance instead of thanksgiving. And then I realized my bigger mistake. I realized what an asset Gary was to our worship, what a gift his voice was to our singing. Because Gary was singing not from his mouth or his vocal cords, but from his heart, and every word he sang was a word of sincere praise and thanksgiving. In his child-like innocence, Gary didn’t care what he sounded like or what others thought of him. He only cared to let God know of his love and thankfulness in full voice. He was doing like Psalm 95 and 98 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” KJV. So I say, “Sing, Gary! Sing loud enough for everyone to hear, let your voice carry to the heavens!”
I notice that the hymns this morning mention that as Christians we should all be singing- “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus- Sweetest name I know, Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.” “I have a song that Jesus gave me, it was sent from heaven above.” “There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King, and Jesus, listening can hear the songs I cannot sing.” “I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me.”
WBTU:
Singing can be done as an expression of sorrow. The 'Blues' and much of country music are expressions of sorrow. Psalm 137 is a song of sorrow. An interesting psalm about refusing to sing. But when we find singing in the Scripture it is usually pointing to times of rejoicing. It is also connected with our worship toward God. The problem in our text was that the Lord's people had been carried away into captivity. As a result, they had lost their song. They refused to sing. Many of God's people today have lost their song and refuse to sing. They do not have the joy, the excitement, and the devotion toward God that they should have.
Thesis: What can take away our song?
For instances:
I. Don't Let Persecution Take Away Our Song
“My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”” “My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”” Psalms 42:3, 10, NIV.
“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:20, NIV.
“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2 Timothy 3:12.
Even so, after the apostles are persecuted we find this: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Acts 5:41.
After Paul and Silas were beaten, thrown into jail and had their feet fastened into stocks for preaching the gospel, we find this: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25, NIV.
Very few of us have been persecuted like these and if they could still sing after all of this, we must keep our joy and keep on singing.
Don’t Let Troubles Take Away Our Song
The Bible reminds us that while we are in this world, we will have tribulation or trials. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1:2, NIV. Why should we consider trials and troubles as pure joy? “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3, 4, NIV. Peter tells us this: “These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7, NIV. Tanya’s fiancé David was lying in the intensive care unit after a delicate procedure to repair a brain aneurysm. David’s eyes focused on Tanya, who had hardly left his side in several days. In wonder, he said, “Every time I look up, you’re here. I love that. Every time I think of you, I open my eyes and you are there.” That young man’s appreciation for the woman he loves reminds me of the way we should feel about God’s presence in our lives.
He is always there. The Lord’s presence gives us comfort and security. He has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Who knows us more completely? Who loves us more fully? Who cares for us so well?
No matter what happens to us, we have this assurance: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). When troubles or trials come our way, sing anyway!
III. Don't Let Pain Take Away Our Song
A. Pain comes in many forms.
Physical pain and suffering will come to all of us in our flesh. Aches, pains, weaknesses are a part of our human existence. When we were young we thought we were invincible, but the more mileage these old bodies see…the more pain! Pain is a reminder of the curse of sin- “Outwardly we are wasting away” 2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV.
Often the emotional pain and sorrow we experience can take away our song! For most it is harder to deal with than physical pain. “My soul is in anguish.” “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow.” Psalms 6:3, 6, 7, NIV
To lose a loved one brings grief- “For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.” “For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears” Psalms 102:3-5, 9, NIV.
B. God is the God of all comfort.
Pain and sorrow reminds that we need to be comforted, and that comfort comes from God. 2. God uses our pain to prepare us to minister to others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, NIV. 3. When we hurt we long to be consoled by someone who understands. God has given us the ministry of comfort to come alongside someone who is hurting and share the comfort of God with them. When pain and sorrow comes our way, sing anyway!
III. Don't Let People Take Away Our Song
The longer I live the more I am convinced of the depravity of man! Depravity = speaks of the fallen nature of mankind.
General condition of mankind- “They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no-one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no-one who does good, not even one.” Psalms 14:1-3, NIV. I believe it! When we see what people do to each other…how can we not understand these biblical truths?
People hurt each other.
Man’s inhumanity to man- “Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see them?” They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.” Psalms 64:2-6, NIV. We cannot pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV or radio news without hearing of some atrocity someone has committed against another. Unfortunately, it isn't just the ungodly who hurt others.
Even Christian people hurt one another!
They will lie and gossip about others. They will fail us, forsake us, abuse and disappoint us! 2. They will do what we would never have imagined that they would do… “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.” Psalms 55:12-14, NIV.
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” Psalms 27:10, NIV.
God promises to be there for us when others forsake us! The phrase 'receive me' literally means to gather unto Himself. The picture I have is that of a loving Heavenly Father with outstretched arms who is there to draw us close. Don't let people take away your song!
So What?
Ps 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? He tells us to "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD" How? Loud and clear! Don't let anything or anyone take your song!
Perhaps you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is God who puts a song in our hearts, it is God who gives us a reason to sing! I am talking about the song of redemption, that’s the new song (Revelation 14:3). When you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, He will put a new song in our mouths.
