Music and God's Call to Holiness

There is something that God has laid on my heart to write about for awhile and I keep putting it off because I do not want to write about it, but He is giving me no rest until I do. He has helped me to give every thing I have to Him and that includes this blog, so what He tells me to write, I need to write. The subject is music. The reason that I do not want to write about this subject is because many people have become very angry with us for speaking about it in the past. My Mom has taught me that when I get angry about something someone is teaching, there is a good possibility it is because I am in the wrong. So, I ask you, please read this prayerfully and if you become angry about what is being said, please consider why and from where that anger is coming from. I do not claim to have all the answers, but God has opened my eyes to a great deception that is taking place, even among His own.

We find that in the Bible music plays an important role, primarily in worship. God is well pleased when we praise Him, as can be seen by the many times we are admonished to sing unto the Lord. David the King particularly loved music and appointed Levites to minister at the tabernacle with singing and many instruments are mentioned with which he and the people praised the Lord. We have the Psalms to show us what type of lyrics they were using, many were written by David and many "To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah" the family set over the Levitical worship. So we have a pattern for lyrics, we know they played instruments and we know that we are to be praising the Lord in song, BUT, what kind of music did they use? Of course there are no recordings from that time, but the Bible does give us some hints, which combined with a study of the nature of music should shed some light on the subject.

There were many heathen nations that God had the Israelites conquer, but He had very strict guidelines for when they did conquer a nation. They were told to destroy those nations and were warned not to do the abominations that those nations did or they would also be destroyed. (Example: Exodus 34:10-17) Those nations worshiped false gods of wood and stone, gold and silver. Music was very important to them as well, in the worship of their false gods. Later when Israel was brought into captivity in Babylon (because they did not obey the law of the Lord and did not destroy all the nations around them, but rather married into them and took part in their abominations) Nebuchadnezzar used the music made by various instruments to call the people to worship the idol that he had set up.

There are several directions for singing in the New Testament:

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (James 5:13) Here we find a directive for what kind of lyrics we should be using. What we sing is very important.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Revelation 15:3-4) Even in Heaven we will continue to sing the songs that are recorded in the Scriptures!

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)

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) In these two verses we have clear parameters for the type of music we should be using; Psalms- we know what that is! Hymns-a short poem or ode to honor God. Spiritual Songs- We will look at the Strong's Concordance:

"Spiritual"

From G4151; non-carnal, that is, (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious: - spiritual. Compare G5591.

Note: non-carnal---not of the flesh---as Carnal is:

1.	pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual: carnal pleasures.

2.	not spiritual; merely human; temporal; worldly: a man of secular, rather carnal, leanings.

Singing and making melody in your heart- Read what Albert Barnes says:

Singing - ᾄδοντες adontes. The prevailing character of music in the worship of God should be vocal. If instruments are employed, they should be so subordinate that the service may be characterized as singing.

And making melody - "Melody" is an agreeable succession of sounds; a succession so regulated and modulated as to please the ear. It differs from "harmony," inasmuch as melody is an agreeable succession of sounds by a single voice; harmony consists in the accordance of different sounds. It is not certain, however, that the apostle here had reference to what is properly called "melody." The word which he uses - ψάλλω psallō - means to touch, twitch, pluck - as the hair, the beard; and then to twitch a string - to "twang" it - as the string of a bow, and then the string of an instrument of music. It is most frequently used in the sense of touching or playing a lyre, or a harp; and then it denotes to make music in general, to sing - perhaps usually with the idea of being accompanied with a lyre or harp. It is used, in the New Testament, only in Rom_5:19; 1Co_14:15, where it is translated "sing;" in Jam_5:13, where it is rendered "sing psalms," and in the place before us. The idea here is, that of singing in the heart, or praising God from the heart. The psalms, and hymns, and songs were to be sung so that the heart should be engaged, and not so as to be mere music, or a mere external performance. On the phrase "in the heart," see the notes on 1Co_14:15.

and

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ - The doctrine of Christ.

Dwell in you richly in all wisdom - Abundantly, producing the spirit of true wisdom. That doctrine is adapted to make you wise. The meaning is, that they were to lay up the doctrines of the gospel in their hearts, to meditate upon them; to allow them to be their guide, and to endearor wisely to improve them to the best purpose.

Teaching and admonishing ... - See this explained in the notes at Eph_5:19-20. The only additional thought here is, that their psalms and hymns were to be regarded as a method of "teaching" and "admonishing;" that is, they were to be imbued with truth, and to be such as to elevate the mind, and withdraw it from error and sin. Dr. Johnson once said, that if he were allowed to make the ballads of a nation, he cared not who made the laws. It is true in a more important sense that he who is permitted to make the hymns of a church, need care little who preaches, or who makes the creed. He will more effectually mould the sentiments of a church than they who preach or make creeds and confessions. Hence, it is indispensable, in order to the preservation of the truth, that the sacred songs of a church should be imbued with sound evangelical sentiment.

Obviously there is something very important about music and if we are told to sing Spiritual songs, there must also be carnal songs of the world; but, does this apply only to lyrics or is there something in the actual music that is spiritual or carnal?

This is what we need to look into.

There are many who have done research on the topic, so I will now link to some excellent articles. What I am writing will not make sense unless you read these article, so please take the time to read them.

Here you are, in order:

The Moral Power of Music http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0221.html (This is a Catholic Priest's writing, but I found it very good for historical references)

What is Rock Music? http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/8936/MUSIC_C.HTM

http://www.logosresourcepages.org/Music/rock.htm by Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” -Plato

“Music has a power of forming the character, and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young.” -Aristotle

We are called to holiness, even in our singing and music;

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light. Therefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:11-17)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he who has called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conduct; Because it is written, You will be holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

From Matthew Henry's Commentary:

1Peter1: 13-19

"Here the apostle begins his exhortations to those whose glorious state he had before described, thereby instructing us that Christianity is a doctrine according to godliness, designed to make us not only wiser, but better.

I. He exhorts them to sobriety and holiness.

1. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, etc., 1Pe_1:13. As if he had said, "Wherefore, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as above, Gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gather in, and gird up, their long and loose garments, that they may be more ready, prompt, and expeditious in their business, so do you by your minds, your inner man, and affections seated there: gird them, gather them in, let them not hang loose and neglected about you; restrain their extravagances, and let the loins or strength and vigour of your minds be exerted in your duty; disengage yourselves from all that would hinder you, and go on resolutely in your obedience. Be sober, be vigilant against all your spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate and modest in eating, drinking, apparel, recreation, business, and in the whole of your behaviour. Be sober-mined also in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves." And hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Some refer this to the last judgment, as if the apostle directed their hope to the final revelation of Jesus Christ; but it seems more natural to take it, as it might be rendered, "Hope perfectly, or thoroughly, for the grace that is brought to you in or by the revelation of Jesus Christ; that is, by the gospel, which brings life and immortality to light. Hope perfectly, trust without doubting to that grace which is now offered to you by the gospel." Learn, (1.) The main work of a Christian lies in the right management of his heart and mind; the apostle's first direction is to gird up the loins of the mind. (2.) The best Christians have need to be exhorted to sobriety. These excellent Christians are put in mind of it; it is required of a bishop (1Ti_3:2), of aged men (Tit_2:2), the young women are to be taught it, and the young men are directed to be sober-minded, Tit_2:4, Tit_2:6. (3.) A Christian's work is not over as soon as he has got into a state of grace; he must still hope and strive for more grace. When he has entered the strait gate, he must still walk in the narrow way, and gird up the loins of his mind for that purpose. (4.) A strong and perfect trust in God's grace is very consistent with our best endeavours in our duty; we must hope perfectly, and yet gird up our loins, and address ourselves vigorously to the work we have to do, encouraging ourselves from the grace of Jesus Christ.

2. As obedient children, etc., 1Pe_1:14. These words may be taken as a rule of holy living, which is both positive - "You ought to live as obedient children, as those whom God hath adopted into his family, and regenerated by his grace;" and negative - "You must not fashion yourselves according to the former lusts, in your ignorance." Or the words may be taken as an argument to press them to holiness from the consideration of what they now are, children of obedience, and what they were when they lived in lust and ignorance. Learn, (1.) The children of God ought to prove themselves to be such by their obedience to God, by their present, constant, universal obedience. (2.) The best of God's children have had their times of lust and ignorance; the time has been when the whole scheme of their lives, their way and fashion, was to accommodate and gratify their unlawful desires and vicious appetites, being grossly ignorant of God and themselves, of Christ and the gospel. (3.) Persons, when converted, differ exceedingly from what they were formerly. They are people of another fashion and manner from what they were before; their inward frame, behaviour, speech, and conversation, are much altered from what they were in times past. (4.) The lusts and extravagances of sinners are both the fruits and the signs of their ignorance.

3. But as he who hath called you, etc., 1Pe_1:15, 1Pe_1:16. Here is a noble rule enforced by strong arguments: Be you holy in all manner of conversation. Who is sufficient for this? And yet it is required in strong terms, and enforced by three reasons, taken from the grace of God in calling us, - from his command, it is written, - and from his example. Be you holy, for I am holy. Learn, (1.) The grace of God in calling a sinner is a powerful engagement to holiness. It is a great favour to be called effectually by divine grace out of a state of sin and misery into the possession of all the blessings of the new covenant; and great favours are strong obligations; they enable as well as oblige to be holy. (2.) Complete holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. Here is a two-fold rule of holiness: [1.] It must, for the extent of it, be universal. We must be holy, and be so in all manner of conversation; in all civil and religious affairs, in every condition, prosperous or reverse; towards all people, friends and enemies; in all our intercourse and business still we must be holy. [2.] For the pattern of it. We must be holy, as God is holy: we must imitate him, though we can never equal him. He is perfectly, unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should aspire after such a state. The consideration of the holiness of God should oblige as to the highest degree of holiness we can attain unto. (3.) The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. (4.) The Old Testament commands are to be studied and obeyed in the times of the New Testament; the apostle, by virtue of a command delivered several times by Moses, requires holiness in all Christians.

4. If you call on the Father, etc., 1Pe_1:17. The apostle does not there express any doubt at all whether these Christians would call upon their heavenly Father, but supposes they would certainly do it, and from this argues with them to pass the time of their sojourning here in fear: "If you own the great God as a Father and a Judge, you ought to live the time of your sojourning here in his fear." Learn, (1.) All good Christians look upon themselves in this world as pilgrims and strangers, as strangers in a distant country, passing to another, to which they properly belong, Psa_39:12; Heb_11:13. (2.) The whole time of our sojourning here is to be passed in the fear of God. (3.) The consideration of God as a Judge is not improper for those who can truly call him Father. Holy confidence in God as a Father, an awful fear of him as a Judge, are very consistent; to regard God as a Judge is a singular means to endear him to us as a Father. (4.) The judgment of God will be without respect of persons: According to every man's work. No external relation to him will protect any; the Jew may call God Father and Abraham father, but God will not respect persons, nor favour their cause, from personal considerations, but judge them according to their work. The works of men will in the great day discover their persons; God will make all the world to know who are his by their works. We are obliged to faith, holiness, and obedience, and our works will be an evidence whether we have complied with our obligations or not.

5. The apostle having extorted them to pass the time of their sojourning in the fear of God from this consideration, that they called on the Father, he adds (1Pe_1:18) a second argument: Because or forasmuch as you were not redeemed with corruptible things, etc. Herein he puts them in mind, (1.) That they were redeemed, or bought back again, by a ransom paid to the Father. (2.) What the price paid for their redemption was: Not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. (3.) From what they were redeemed: From a vain conversation received by tradition. (4.) They knew this: Forasmuch as you know, and cannot pretend ignorance of this great affair. Learn, [1.] The consideration of our redemption ought to be a constant and powerful inducement to holiness, and the fear of God. [2.] God expects that a Christian should live answerably to what he knows, and therefore we have great need to be put in mind of what we already know, Psa_39:4. [3.] Neither silver nor gold, nor any of the corruptible things of this world, can redeem so much as one soul. They are often snares, temptations, and hindrances to man's salvation, but they can by no means purchase or procure it; they are corruptible, and therefore cannot redeem an incorruptible and immortal soul. [4.] The blood of Jesus Christ is the only price of man's redemption. The redemption of man is real, not metaphorical. We are bought with a price, and the price is equal to the purchase, for it is the precious blood of Christ; it is the blood of an innocent person, a lamb without blemish and without spot, whom the paschal lamb represented, and of an infinite person, being the Son of God, and therefore it is called the blood of God, Act_20:28. [5.] The design of Christ in shedding his most precious blood was to redeem us, not only from eternal misery hereafter, but from a vain conversation in this world. That conversation is vain which is empty, frivolous, trifling, and unserviceable to the honour of God, the credit of religion, the conviction of unbelievers, and the comfort and satisfaction of a man's own conscience. Not only the open wickedness, but the vanity and unprofitableness of our conversation are highly dangerous. [6.] A man's conversation may carry an appearance of devotion, and may plead antiquity, custom, and tradition, in its defence, and yet after all be a most vain conversation. The Jews had a deal to say from these heads, for all their formalities; and yet their conversation was so vain that only the blood of Christ could redeem them from it. Antiquity is no certain rule of verity, nor is it a wise resolution, "I will live and die in such a way, because my forefathers did so.'"

From Alberte Barnes Commentary:

1Pe 1:16

"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy - Lev_11:44. This command was addressed at first to the Israelites, but it is with equal propriety addressed to Christians, as the professed people of God. The foundation of the command is, that they professed to be his people, and that as his people they ought to be like their God. Compare Mic_4:5. It is a great truth, that people everywhere will imitate the God whom they worship. They will form their character in accordance with his. They will regard what he does as right. They will attempt to rise no higher in virtue than the God whom they adore, and they will practice freely what he is supposed to do or approve. Hence, by knowing what are the characteristics of the gods which are worshipped by any people, we may form a correct estimate of the character of the people themselves; and, hence, as the God who is the object of the Christian’s worship is perfectly holy, the character of His worshipers should also be holy. And hence, also, we may see that the tendency of true religion is to make people pure. As the worship of the impure gods of the pagan moulds the character of the worshippers into their image, so the worship of Yahweh moulds the character of His professed friends into His image, and they become like him."

So if it is true that there is Carnal and there is Spiritual music as shown in the above articles and we as followers of Christ are called to holiness, then what should we do?

Let me share with you how God brought this music issue to my family's attention and how He changed us.

When my brother Michael and I were very young (until we were 4 and 5 years old) my Mom would often have CCM playing in the house through out the day. She was seeking the Lord daily, yet felt as if her prayers were "blocked" in some way, she did not understand why, but kept on praying. Even though our home was saturated with the things of God, my brother and I would always quarrel and often have bad attitudes.

One day, our church invited a man named Dr. Don Nelson to speak. He spoke on music and shared many of the things that are in the above articles. At first my Mom thought that what he said was ridiculous, how could some music be spiritual and others carnal? She decided to do a test.... one week without listening to any CCM. She turned it off...and was shocked to find that she "needed it", she was hard pressed not to turn it back on. She was very alarmed at this and began to take notice that Michael and I stopped quarreling and began having sweet attitudes. Also, she found that now her prayers were no longer "blocked", but she was able to sweetly communicate with our Heavenly Father. From then on we have not listened to that type of music.

At this link you will find some excellent guidelines for godly music: http://www.harbourlightradio.org/music.htm After reading this (it is pretty short) click on "Discussion" (which is long, but well worth the read, i.e. REALLY good!) or go Here: http://www.harbourlightradio.org/discussion.htm

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

After an impromptu blog break I say,

"It has been too long since I have posted here!"

The sun is streaming through my window and there are now tiny leaflets on some of the trees, the grass is up enough to make the ground green and birds are everywhere and a few bugs are out. On the warmer nights I enjoy hearing the chorus of the Spring Peepers and the song of the American Woodcocks. We had our first T-storm of the year go by with thunder and lightning, I was jumping up and down I was so excited! I do so love spring!

We planted some cold weather crops in the garden and they are slowly coming up...spinach, radishes, peas and soon carrots. Last falls planting of garlic is growing strong and the strawberry plants look good. In my "growing room" there are tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli and several different herbs, growing under lights. How kind our Heavenly Father is to give us such good things, to show forth His glory in little things!

All this new life around us, makes me think of the new life God gives to those whom He saves. He said, if anyone be in Christ, they are new creature, old things are passed away and all things are become new. (2Cor. 5:17) This is so true! The sin which we once loved becomes the thing we hate and the righteous things that we once hated, become the things we love. This is the work of God, no one can make this happen of their own accord. God creates within us a clean heart and a love for Him! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His atoning sacrifice and triumph over death!

I finally finished crocheting the gift which I had hoped to give my friends at the birth of their son...he is now four months old. Oh well, at least it wasn't infant clothes!

It was such fun to make this and pray for little Jesaias.
(The pillow is just for contrast.)

Here we are when he was a bit younger.


And more recently. You can see that he is growing fast!

My Dad and I built a compost bin together, he cut the boards and pounded the stakes and I nailed it together. We needed it! Behind me in the picture, you can see the pile which served as a compost pile in the past.

It's not beautiful and is crooked (my fault!), but it is serviceable.


My cat Joyce had five kittens, they are so much fun!

Four weeks old.

And for those of you who are curious....here is a picture of a Spring Peeper!

Tiny little things, but they sure can make a lot of noise!

And here is an American Woodcock!

I think these are about the cutest birds I have ever seen! In the evening the males fly very high, fanning their tails in such a way that it makes an ascending sound like...woowoowoowoowoo.

(Neither of these last two pictures are mine.)

For the Wanderer

Thou who makest intercession,
Give to us to share
In that holy intercession;
Deepen prayer.

Some have chosen dust and ashes,
Fruit of poison tree;
Let them have nor peace nor pleasure,
Wanting Thee.

Let Thy fiery Law arrest them;
Let Thy love constrain,
Till they turn, repentant, humbly,
Home again.

Keep Thine own alert, courageous;
Strengthen them to stand
Till Thou comest, or we meet them,
In Thy land.
-Amy Carmichael

Birthday

It is my twenty-first birthday today, it's kind of scary getting so old. :-)

My dear family gave me some beautiful gifts:

I love to collect books for my future children to read. Except for the red one whose title you cannot see, these are all books that I have read and loved as a child, the hidden one is "Jack Archer" by G.A. Henty. I LOVE the rolling pin, it is an older one, which makes me very happy!

Close up of the watch.

My meditation today:

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5)

As I read these verses today, the question arose, why does experience give us hope? I think is because, through experience we learn to trust the faithfulness of God. When we go through hard things and He proves Himself faithful, we now know through experience what before was only head knowledge. We then have hope for the future, that He who has called us is faithful and will keep our whole spirit, soul and body preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Thes. 5:23-24)

From Pilgrims Progress: Christiana... "Our only fear for the future, is that we will forget how God hath led us in the past."

Tea Party

No, I'm not talking about an afternoon tea, but rather "Tax Day Tea Party". Modeled after the Boston Tea Party in 1773, it is the result of concerned citizens raising their voices over the high taxes being imposed on Americans nation wide. We did not throw tea into the sea (or the Lake in our case), but each participant was asked to bring a tea bag to pack in a box to be sent to our representatives. Around 700 of these "Parties" were held across the nation yesterday, with tens of thousands participating.

In Superior Wisconsin where Michael and I went, there were around 70 attendents and in Duluth MN, about 1200! The media only reported seven hundred in Duluth and a few dozen in Superior.

Here are some pictures from Superior where we were.

The flag Michael is holding says: "Justice for the Unborn"
Standing next to him, I held the sign which he is holig in the picture below.

Michael was interviewed by "Fox 21", but because of the Pro-life content of his interview, they did not use it on the news.

Trials

I have been sick, especially this past weekend. One moment I was feeling fine, the next my throat began to hurt and within thirty minutes I was full blown sick, even starting a fever. Weird.
Thankfully I am doing better now, not quite over it, but much better. Meanwhile, I missed the big day at my Grandma's house. Which turned into two BIG days of moving her things out, while a renter was moving her things in. Wow. My poor family, they came home completely exhausted and spent and very glad to have that over with.

My Grandma is doing better, healing and recovering from the operation. It is hard to have her here, I won't mince words about that. She is not saved and finds it difficult to hear us always singing, praying and talking about the Lord. There are many wonderful opportunities to minister to her and she hears the gospel every day now, in one form or another. We are praying that the Lord will draw her to Himself and save her.

We have been going through an extended trial and just the other day I was praying, asking the Lord why it seemed that He was not answering my prayers. Quietly He spoke to me, showing that indeed He is answering. I had asked for patience - He is teaching that to me. I had told Him that I wanted to be closer to Him, no matter how hard a trial would have to be to get closer - He is answering that prayer as well. These trials drive us to our knees, He becomes our only refuge and we learn to fly to Him. Oh, how sweet is His love, when we look on His face in the midst of trials. He wants us to take our eyes off the waves and place them on Him. Faith IS the victory, praise God for giving us faith.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Faith is the Victory

Words by John H. Yates
Music by Ira D. Sankey
1891

Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
Refrain
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
Refrain
On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
Refrain
To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heaven.
Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conquering Name.
Refrain

God is so very Good!

By the way, how do you all like this blogs new look?

Blog template changing

I am messing around with the blog template, hopefully it will look better soon!

Water from the Rock - Days of Praise

Water from the Rock

April 8, 2009

"Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." (Exodus 17:6)

This amazing provision of drinking water for the Israelites in the midst of a barren wilderness is surely one of the most remarkable miracles of creation recorded in Scripture. Furthermore, it was not a one-time event, but somehow continued to provide water for them during the entire 40 years they spent in the desert. God provided daily water just as He provided their daily bread. "Our fathers . . . did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:1, 3-4).

The provision was an act of pure grace on God's part, for even after God created the manna for them, the people were about to stone Moses (Exodus 17:4). But their complaint was really against God, so God "stood before" Moses as he smote the rock at Horeb, and a great spring of water burst forth.

This is the first mention of the word "rock" in Scripture, and it is surely significant that the apostle Paul calls this rock a type of Christ. Just as Moses smote the rock with the same rod of judgment which he had used to smite the river in Egypt (Exodus 7:20; 17:5), so Christ had to be "smitten of God" (Isaiah 53:4) because of our sins, before He could fulfill His promise: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37).

But once our Rock was smitten, the water of everlasting life was made available freely to all who will drink. The very last invitation of the Bible is: "And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). Then, "whosoever drinketh . . . shall never thirst" (John 4:14).

Henry M. Morris

Institute for Creation Research

Pictures Taken April 1st 2009

Our yard as I saw it this morning.

(No Joke!)