Pleasant Run Baptist Church
The Psalmist says, “Sing a new song unto the Lord.” Music is very important to me. I have loved music most of my life. I remember as a young child I would entertain people. I would try to sing like Elvis Presley. I would try to sing like Michael Jackson. Sometimes folks would encourage me on by saying. “You sound just like Elvis.” I am aware that some folks don’t like music, but I do. If you sit under my ministry, you will understand how important music is to me.
Sing unto the Lord a new song…..“What’s wrong with the old song?” you ask. Well, the old song is old. Here is why we have a melody in our heart. The songs often reflect how we feel. Remember how in the country music field especially, they tell the story in song how someone will be thrown in jail and you may hear them sing something like this, “Oh, Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.”
When you are sad, you sing sad songs. Don’t you think that the song from Hee Haw , “Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me,” has been sung enough? I know people who don’t know how to get off the sad songs. I am sure you do, too.
I used to try to write songs. One of my classics was titled "Bring back my Dog." The jest of this great song told how my wife had left me and all I wanted back was my dog. She could have everything we owned and take all of my other stuff -- just bring back my dog. Silly stuff!
Songs represent how you feel. If you feel good, you will sing a happy song that is on your mind. If you are sad, the song will be a sad song.
The Psalmist says, “Sing a new song unto the Lord.” He says that because we have been caught up in the negativity of the old songs. The economy is bad, jobs are being lost, terrorism, threats of war, and all these things we get wrapped-up in. That is our conversation. We don’t talk of the good things going on around us; only the bad things really get our attention. Do you ever wonder why the nightly news is so full of bad news? Because that is what gets our attention. Aren’t you tired of hearing the same old sad songs that are being sung? I am! So let’s not focus on them anymore. Let’s sing a new song and concentrate on the good things. I choose to celebrate my good health today. I choose to celebrate that I am a Christian. I choose to celebrate the love of a good wife today. I choose to celebrate that I am a Child of a King. In my heart I can’t explain the joy I have; it’s just there and it gives me a new song to sing. I am blessed with a new song.
The word blessed means, to adore, or to curse….To curse… how many times have you heard someone say, “Boy, they sure did bless me out!” I choose to adore God. When I look at all the things He has done for me, how can I not adore Him? He has touched my life like no other can…..He touched me!
He touched me, Oh; He touched me, and Oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened, and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.
“Father, I just want to thank You, today. I want to thank you for one day reaching down and lifting me up. I tried to climb out, but I couldn’t do it. Father, You came to me. You rescued this wayward sinner and You set me in the life path and set me on a solid rock. Not only that, but You pilot my ship. And Father, I bless your name.” Amen
Not only does a new song include blessing His name, but it says we should show more of our salvation. I know that Christians get negative vibes in today’s world. The world looks upon us as being narrow-minded. I don’t care what they think of me. I want to keep my eyes looking toward the goal and if people call me narrow-minded, so be it! I want to show which side I’m on day-by-day.
Not only should our new song include praising Him every day; but our new song should include blessing Him every day. Our new song should declare His glory. You are God’s Ambassador. God saved you and left you here for a specific reason, so that others can see the finished work of Jesus Christ in you. You are to declare His wonders among all the people.
I serve a God that answers prayers. All I have to do is point to any pew in this church and I can show you a testimony of how Almighty God has answered prayers.
Now, God will not give you everything you want, but I promise you He will give you what you need. I believe God’s people must praise the Lord. Has He been there for you in the midnight hours? Has He been there for you when family and friends have not? Has He been there for you when the preacher was not? Has He been there for you when you were alone? Has there ever been a time when a knock came to your door, and someone was standing there when you needed them the most. That was God speaking to someone’s heart and sending them to you in your time of discouragement. Have you ever thought of the idea to send someone a card of encouragement, because you have them on your mind? That is God, my friend. His wonders among the people are at work.
The gloom, despair and agony needs to stay back there in the past year! Let’s do that; and let’s sing a new song. You say, “Preacher, what if things continue to get worse?” They probably will get worse, But I know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. My God is going to take care of me; what about you?
God Bless