Do You Have the Voice of Joy?

Do You Have the Voice of Joy?

 

Good Morning Friends,

 

This morning I hear birds. But earlier it was silent which got me to thinking about the sounds in the Bible. No, I am not really focusing on connecting sound doctrine and a sound faith and a sound speech as a way of avoiding unsound behavior, but the actual wisdom in sounds that should be part of our spiritual awakening, even as they test the depth of our commitments. There are the voices and sounds of trumpets in battle, the sound of a shaken leaf brining faintness into the hearts of enemies, the sound of alarms and of bells in the presence of God, and the long blast of the ram’s horn, and shouting and the sound of pipes sounded with joy, the sound of abundant rain, the sound of feet, the sound of grinding teeth, and the sounds of singers with psalteries and harps and cymbals. These sounds evoke something in us as does the snorting of horses and the cries of people, and of waters rushing and milestones grinding. Perhaps someday we will hear the sound of angels. It all seem ominous, so in counterbalance I ask, Do You Have the Voice of Joy?

 

Scripture: Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;

 

Psalms 89:15 (NRSV)

 

⁸The wind^* blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

 

John 3:8 (NRSV)

 

¹³Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Timothy 1:13 (NRSV)

 

¹¹the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank-offerings to the house of the Lord: ‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.

 

Jeremiah 33:11 (NRSV)

 

²³And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

 

1 Samuel 16:23 (NRSV)

 

The Lord says, “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”

 

Isaiah 55:3 (KJV)

 

Message: Incline your ear to the sounds of God. In these sounds the power of God can free us of our self-centeredness…can nudge us… change us…reorient us…activate us so that our hearts are responsive to Him and His power demonstrated through us. In the hearing we sense the speed, perspective and impact of a power that connects and compels us. We can be changed as David’s music soothed Saul. Here we discover a priceless gift…the memory of a moment and meaning conveyed through sound. The Bible has hundreds of passages linking music and sounds to emotions. Indeed when we hear the human voice, sorrow, joy, pain and triumph can be expressed. But in the hearing a matrix of emotions and memories is communicated to our minds that can connect us. Friends, God will not be suppressed. And if you do not come to Him, He may come to you….knocking at the door of your heart. Do you hear the sound? When you do I hope you will have the sound of joy in your voice as a response.

 

Pray we have a sound heart. Pray we have a sound mind tamed by God. Pray we stay in tune. Pray we listen for the sounds of God. Pray we have the voice of gladness in us. Pray that we are prepared when the trumpet sounds.
Pray we respond to the leaning of the Holy Spirit evoked in music. Pray that God’s kindness is reflected in our intonation. Pray that our hearts are filled with a love that echoes with a sensation that connects us to something eternal. Pray that when we stand at the door ….we are ready to listen…ready to sing with joy…ready to answer.

 

Blessings,

 

John Lawson