Author Todd R

Make a Joyful Noise: Participating in the Psalms

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Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash

A recent post about Psalm 96 said that “the writers aren’t just trying to teach about God, but they are trying to share their experience of Him.”  While that Psalm was about how to “sing to the LORD a new song” of praise, Psalm 100 is “A Psalm for giving thanks,” and like Psalm 96, spells out ideas for doing it.  Today will focus on the first three verses, and tomorrow on the last 2.

Psalm 100 begins with:

“A Psalm for giving thanks.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
            Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!
            It is he who made us, and we are his;
            we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

First, the Psalmist wants the whole earth to make a joyful noise, but notes that singing and making a joyful noise are not the only part of giving thanks.  We are encouraged to thank God by serving Him, not reluctantly, but to serve with the same gladness we have when we sing in worship.

The third verse reads like a list of things to be thankful for.  When we feel like there’s nothing to be thankful for, or no motivation to serve, consider:

“Know that the LORD, he is God!” – Our Lord is not powerless, He is God!
“It is he who made us, and we are his” – We are not accidents of a mindless nature, we are His!
“We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” – We do not have to wander aimlessly through life, not knowing where we are going, we belong to a flock and our Shepherd provides us pasture! 

Take a moment and ask Him how you might participate in the Psalms, carrying these instructions into your daily circumstances.

Scenes From a Memory: My Favorite Album

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Daily writing prompt
What’s your all-time favorite album?
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Today, I’ve decided to answer another writing prompt: “What’s your all-time favorite album?” It’s clearly off-topic for this blog, but I say why not?

I mostly listen to rock music of all types. Everything that could remotely be called rock, from Metallica and Rush to Imagine Dragons and twenty øne piløts to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. But my clear #1 album is, in my opinion, the best album from Dream Theater, the only band I really listen to in their sub-genre of rock, progressive metal. Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory is great from start to finish and the only album I regularly listen to in order all the way through and lose myself in. The complex musicianship and interesting lyrics distract me from whatever I might need an escape from.

An interesting fact about the album is that they released an earlier song called Metropolis Part 1 and never intended to write a part 2.  After a lot of fan questions and pressure, the band took some of the lyrical themes and musical ideas from the first song and turned it into this complete album.

Scenes From a Memory is a concept album telling the story of a man is tormented by memories that are not his own, so he goes under hypnosis in an attempt to figure out what’s going on. He discovers that his memories are actually from a woman who died decades earlier while involved in a tragic love triangle. The album ends with a great twist ending (I won’t spoil) that would be great in any movie or TV show.

Musically the album is wave after wave of heavy, catchy riffs and amazing solos, including the instrumental “The Dance of Eternity” and its 108 time signature changes in 6 minutes. Everything works and goes along with the changing moods of the story.

If you’re into this kind of music, check out this album if you haven’t already. If its not your cup of tea, that’s probably more likely…

God Knows Where the Grass is Greenest

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The Old Testament book of Numbers has a story about Balak, the king of Moab.  Scared of Israel after seeing their military success, he was desperate to find a way to avoid defeat himself.  Balak sought out Balaam, known as a prophet who spoke oracles, to curse Israel for him. After repeatedly paying Balaam and making many sacrifices, Balaam refused to curse Israel because God told him to bless Israel, not curse them.  Balak would not give up, and before a third try, “Balak said to Balaam, ‘Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.’” (Numbers 23:27)

Where did Balak get the idea that changing location would get God on his side?  That changing location would change God’s mind or bring God’s blessing to Balak (in the form of a curse on Israel)?  Doesn’t it seem naïve?  God’s character doesn’t change with location, or any other circumstances.

However, how often do we think a change in circumstances will bring God’s blessing?  How often do we pray that God change our situation because we think the grass is greener somewhere else?  Maybe if I lived in a different place, God would bless me.  Maybe if I got a better job, would it be a blessing?  Maybe if I went to a different church?  Maybe if I was in a different relationship?   Maybe if God would put us where we want to be, that He will bless us then?  Are we saying “come with us God to another place, and perhaps it will please You to bless us there” in another way?

Warren Wiersbe wrote that “We are prone to think that a change in circumstances is always the answer to a problem. But the problem is usually within us and not around us. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart.”[1]

Photo by Ochir-Erdene Oyunmedeg on Unsplash

God calls each of us for specific reasons, and the circumstances may be part of the reason.  Referencing whether it is better to be married or single, circumcised or uncircumcised, slave or free, the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:24, “So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”  In other words, God wants to bless you in, or even through, your present circumstances.  He may change them, but He may not.

In God’s plan, the grass is usually greenest right where we already are. If we can faithfully be the blessing needed in our circumstances, God will be faithful in His time and place.  He will bless His people, only sometimes with better circumstances, but always with spiritual fruit.

God always says: “Come now, I will be with you where you are. It pleases me to bless you in all situations and circumstances.”

The grass is greenest where He is.

[1] Wiersbe, Warren.  Be Wise (1 Corinthians) (1982).

Daily Exhortation

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“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” – Hebrews 3:13

All need regular encouragement to listen to His voice above others.  Knowing our commonality in failure and struggle, as well as in obedience and triumph, gives us strength to stay on the path of faith.

Today is an opportunity to exhort.  As one of the elders at my church says: “How do you know someone needs encouragement?  They’re breathing.”

Standing Firm

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“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” – Philippians 1:27-28

Romans 12:20 says when we love our enemy, we “heap burning coals on his head.”  Alternatively, panic in the face of opposition is what happens when we rely on our own strength and methods.

May He be strong in us.