A Song in Season
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A Song in Season
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Sprinkled throughout the Bible, we find songs — songs to God, songs about God, and even songs from God! Does God give us certain songs for specific seasons? If so, why?
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On the victory side of the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang a song of deliverance, exalting God for destroying their enemies and bringing them to freedom. Barak and Deborah broke out in song at the destruction of the Canaanites in the book of Judges. The women of Israel danced and sang triumphant songs celebrating David’s slaying of the Philistines. In the book of Acts, the incarcerated Paul and Silas, undaunted by their situation, released midnight songs of praise to their God.
Yes, singing and songs have always had a central place in the Word of God. Throughout Scripture, we find we’re instructed to sing to God — it’s not optional.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 95:1).
Jesus and His disciples sang the Hallel — Psalms 113–118 — at the Lord’s Supper, just before He went to the cross. I can only imagine what He must have felt as He was singing those precious anointed words. Whenever I’ve read those psalms, in view of what our Lord was about to walk through, they’ve moved me to tears.
After singing a hymn [probably the Hallel psalms (Ps. 113–118), sung during the Passover meal], they went out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30 EXB).
And God sings. He sings over us!
“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Today, we sing songs to God in times of celebration as well as times of sadness. Praise and worship continue to be a big part of our Christian walk. I believe it is even more vital in the world we live in today. There are many benefits to cultivating a life of singing praises to God. For instance, singing praise and worship songs takes our eyes off the problems and challenges we face and puts our focus back onto God. When we have our eyes on God, we have perfect peace. Every intercessor needs this kind of peace. We also know from Psalm 8:2 that our praise stops the Enemy in his tracks. Evil doesn’t want to be anywhere near a place where praises to God are going up.
Singing: Where God Dwells!
Finally, God inhabits the praises of His people. Where there is singing and praise, God Himself will dwell. This reason alone should keep us singing day and night. Intercessors, if you need strength, then praise God; if you need peace, then worship God; if you want to watch the Enemy flee, then live a life of singing praises to God. Singing to God will always lift us up out of the trenches and catapult us into heavenly places.
Recently, this thought came across my mind: Does God give us songs for the seasons we’re passing through?
I’ve noticed over the years that whenever I’m walking through a difficult season, a song will come across my path that encourages me, uplifts me, and stays in my heart until that season ends. But does God do that for the Body of Christ as a whole? I believe so.
You may recall that when the COVID epidemic began, people were confused and fearful and didn’t know what to think or do. During that moment in time a new song came out. The song was “The Blessing,” written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, and Steven Furtick. This song declared the Word of the living God during a challenging season.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord turn His Face toward you and give you peace.
The scriptural words of this song, taken from the book of Numbers, contradicted everything that was going on in our nation at the time. It placed our eyes and hearts firmly back on God and His Word. It reminded us of His promises and His unfailing love. I knew this was God’s intention from the first time I heard “The Blessing.” It was a timely song, given to the people of God amid chaos.
There are numerous scriptures in both the Old and New testaments that talk about “a new song.”
He has put a new song in my mouth — praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the LORD (Psalm 40:3).
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth (Psalm 96:1).
Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them! (Isaiah 42:10).
Renewing and Restoring Our Minds
According to Strong’s Concordance, the word new there means “a fresh new thing.” It comes from the root word chadash, which means “to rebuild, to renew and repair.” That is exactly what the song “The Blessing” did during that time. It renewed and restored our minds to the Word of God. It began to rebuild our faith and our trust in God. It set about repairing everything the Enemy was trying to destroy. It placed our eyes and hearts firmly back onto our God and His peace. It was indeed the new song of the hour in that season.
Today, there is another song that has come across my path and which I believe could be the new song for this hour, a song that can refresh and rebuild the Body of Christ. The song I’m speaking of is “Holy Forever,” by Chris Tomlin.
Although we may not see it clearly at the moment, I believe that we’re stepping into a place at which generations will declare: “God, You are holy forever.” I believe some things will take place in our land that will cause people to sing: “All thrones and dominions, all powers and positions — God is above them all!” God will have the final say. This song declares this truth.
Does God bring forth a song for each season? I believe He does, if we will listen and tune in to the Holy Spirit. We saw this clearly with “The Blessing.” Could it be that we’re seeing it again today with the new songs coming on the scene, songs to uplift, rebuild, and refresh the Body of Christ? May we all join together to sing to our God. He alone is holy forever! No position, no government, no power, no dominion is greater than He.
Our God, You are holy forever!
May we sing and declare this truth until it sweeps across our nation; until He is lifted so high that all darkness dissipates; until the glory of God is evident across our land once again. So, sing, sing, sing unto the Lord — and declare His holiness today!
Do you have a song in your heart that can please God’s heart and encourage others? Share it here!
Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at ANewThingMinistries.com. Photo Credit: Africa images via Canva Pro.
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When I woke up after brain surgery a year ago last March, out of 3 days of complications (including a Code Blue) I was unaware of, I was only conscious of a troubling disconnect from God, a cloud of darkness over me and the thought “Someone wants to take you out!” As confused as I was (it seemed like the contents of my brain had all been tossed into a cardboard box and at the same time were slowly circling around my head like a galaxy), I knew who wanted me taken out and knew that I had to summon my wits and do spiritual warfare against him. So I whispered, “You can’t have me, satan! YOU CAN’T HAVE ME!” The darkness dissipated. Since then I love the hymns and praise songs about coming out of darkness into His light:
Cece Winans, Mercy Said No and Goodness of God
Charity Gayle, Thank You Jesus (for the Blood)
Michael W. Smith, Waymaker
Casting Crowns, Great Are You, Lord
Rita Springer, Never Lost
Don Moen, Thank You Lord
Rusty Edwards, Praise the One (who breaks the darkness)
Chris Tomlin, How Great is Our God and Here I Am to Worship
Keith and Kristyn Getty, In Christ Alone
Darlene Zschech, In Jesus’ Name
Life Church Music, When I Say Jesus
My firefighter nephew was hit by a car at the end of January. His mother refused the doctor’s report that “he could die tonight.” He had several broken bones, ribs, teeth, a brain bleed, etc. His brotherhood of firefighters was at his side 24/7. I came across Jon Reddick’s song, “Don’t Fight Alone” during this time which I saw on display with the firefighters, but it was also a reminder that we have “a cloud of witnesses” cheering us on. My nephew is making great progress thanks to the prayers of earthly warriors and the heavenly host we do not see. So grateful to God for His tender mercy!
As I read the article my heart was stirred to a time that God gave me a song. During the final hearing for my divorce there was a strong possibility that the family farm (136 years) would have to be sold. I had read the psalm Be exalted Oh Lord and let Thy glory be over the earth. As I sat listening to the judge, I could feel that song rise up inside of me like a chorus. Obviously I could not sing it out loud, however, I was singing on the inside! Something started shifting and the judge said that I came into the marriage with the farm and I will be going out of the marriage with the farm. Praise God! He made a way!
God gives songs all through the day as we communicate with Him and carry out His plan for that day. The songs uplift our spirits by His Spirit. The songs celebrate the Lord and His great goodness towards every believer. The songs can give us needed instructions. The songs might touch another person for salvation!! Spontaneous singing is a wonderful gift from our Lord. The songs keep us close to Jesus.
O praising You
always praising You
for teaching me the joy of praising You
1 thess 5.16-21
I have 2 songs that I have been drawn to 1.) Plead the Blood 2.) Lord send revival
You are Holy (Isaiah 6). Richy Clark
Miracles. Jeremy Riddle
Jeshua/I Exalt Thee. Jen Johnson – Bethel Church
A Shield about Me. Stephanie Gretzinger
How Great Thou Art.
It is Well with My Soul
….and many more.
Praise be to Your Name, Jesus
God worked a mighty work of deliverance for our family when, after a year of praying over my daughter’s job loss as the main breadwinner for her family, and my son’s military job decisions – God woke me up after Sunday nap with a song of deliverance I had heard earlier that morning in worship. At the time, it had no impact. When He woke me up, “Trust in God” was playing in my head with certain phrases highlighted. The Holy Spirit led me to sing each of those three times. When I did, I felt the power of God as evidence of faith, and KNEW that the prayer was answered and rejoiced.
The next day as I was driving with my daughter and grandaughter, the Lord again highlighted a snippet of a song, “Famous For.” “Make way through the water, walk me through the fire. Do what You are famous for. Shut the mouth of lions. Bring dry bones to life and do what You are famous for. God of exceedingly, God of abundantly, all that we ask or think. Your name is powerful.”
Several days later, within 24 hours of each other, my daughter got deliverance in her job situation with a new job and affirming people in a arid job market in her field, with favor over two other candidates who had applied and been vetted much earlier than her last minute application. My son got word that God closed one door, and opened the right one – with favor over two other applicants with 10 years more experience. We met for supper that night and he said, “Well, God did not leave us in any doubt about His will!” The phrases God highlighted with power in my mind to sing three times each as a declaration of faith were: “He’s been my Fourth Man in the fire, time after time.” and “I know the author of Tomorrow has ordered my steps.” and “I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered.”
“Way Maker”, which came out in 2020 was a song that got me through not only covid, but the dying of my stepdaughter, Elizabeth and other things that came up that year… and every year since. No matter what life or the devil throws at us… there is always a song, or several songs, that God brings about, to help us through… help us “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”… look full in His Wonderful face… and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
There is always a song… sometimes the old ones… like from scripture, or the many wonderful heart stirring songs/hymns that have been written over the centuries… the the songs keep coming. I believe there will continue to be new songs in Heaven, in our eternity… always new things Yehovah God will be doing with and through us… songs that spontaneously pop out praise to Our God. We might as well get ‘practiced up’ now.
Ms. Shelia:
Love the thought of “we might as well get ‘practiced up’ now.”
Make a joyful noise..
I love it when the voices of Heaven join us in worship. Just makes me wide- eyed and in awe.
God bless you..
Peace be unto your house..
I remember that in March of 2020, before the lockdowns, a woman in Church one Sunday spoke in tongues. In the year that I had been there she had never done that. The interpretation that followed was exactly what I felt the Father had said to me before the woman spoke and it was the words “I am for you” and it was said three times for emphasis. I learned later that the song The Blessing was written that month. (I’m pretty sure it was that month or around that time before the lockdowns). I agree with Kim about that.
The Day That Death Dies
Rom. 5:12-17, I Cor. 15:25-26, Rev. 20:14-21:5
Verse 1:
In the Garden, beautiful Garden of Eden, God walked with man.
All creation lived in harmony. This was life as God had planned.
Then the devil came, tempted man, who sinned,
Paradise they soon had to flee.
Now we all must die looking for that day,
Death is swallowed in victory.
Chorus:
The day that death dies, there’ll be a new heaven and earth.
The day that death dies, creation then will find new birth.
Gone evermore: tears, grief and pain, nothing will ever be the same,
“All things made new,” God will proclaim, the day that death dies!
Verse 2:
From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God, death took control.
‘Til the Son of God, Lord Jesus came, on the cross He paid the toll.
For our sins he died, but He rose again,
Toppled death from off of it’s throne.
Death no longer reigns over those who put,
All their trust in Jesus alone.
Verse 3:
It’s the grand old story of Christ and His vic’try, tell it again.
How our Savior conquered sin and death, gave eternal life to men.
Yet the war’s not done, there is more in store,
When the final enemy dies.
On that glorious day, God will stand and say,
“Death be gone now forevermore!”
Words & music by Sam Mason, copyright 2001. All rights reserved.
I would love to hear it sung. It is beautiful.
Psalm 23 by Phil Wickham & Tiffany Hudson
I speak Jesus by Charity Gayle