You can count on it: right after the mountain peak, the valley's sure to be just around the bend.
We began Bible study this morning, and it was pure joy to see all those dear, smiling faces together--ready to study God's Word together...to hear the Father whispering His love and revealing His treasures to strengthen and teach...and to grow together and encourage one another through this joyful, sorrowful, challenging, amazing journey of life.
So it was a mighty good morning, and I was, and am, mighty thankful.
But then, sure enough, here it comes. That valley of opposition...or discouragement..or fear...or failure...or heartache...or misunderstanding...or whatever lies the enemy throws at you. For me, that valley most often tends to be discouragement. Discouragement with myself and all my many failings, discouragement over our seemingly hopelessly divided culture, discouragement over the brokenness of this planet.
Yep, after the mountain peak comes the valley.
Yet here's the thing: despair is a sin. Wallowing in discouragement accomplishes nothing. And let's face it--self-pity is nothing but self-centeredness coated in despondency.
So I decided to cancel that old useless party and instead pulled out the Word and put on Handel's "Messiah" blasting on the CD player (yes, we still have a boom box that plays CD's. Can you believer that?!)
Because God's Word tells us to address "one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph.5:19-20)
Singing. Making melody to the Lord. Giving thanks always and for everything.
Gratitude, God's Word, music, choosing to sing our praises to the One worthy of all honor and glory--it's amazing how they transform not just the very atoms and atmosphere of the very air we breathe, but they also change us. They remind us of God's extravagant goodness and grace. They help remake us on the inside, transforming us from grumbling to grateful, from discouraged to joyful, from fearful to faith-fueled.
I read the other day that when Handel moved to England in 1712, life as a composer and musician was hard and discouraging. He struggled financially. The various monarchs were wildly unpredictable--one day you're in...and the next you're out. He was attacked for various reasons and finally by 1742 his health began to deteriorate, and he faced debtor's prison. Clearly a long, dark valley.
But one day a friend gave him a libretto on the life of Christ with the words taken directly from God's Word. On August 22, 1741 Handel sat down and began composing. In fact, it's said that for three weeks, Handel never left his room, not even pausing to eat, as he composed and completed one of the most magnificent pieces of music ever written: Messiah.
At one point during that three week period, a friend stopped by to visit him and found him sobbing, overwhelmed with emotion. He had just written the "Hallelujah Chorus." And when the Messiah was performed for the first time in London, as the choir began singing the Hallelujah Chorus, the king--himself overcome with emotion--rose to his feet and the whole audience followed his lead. That's the power of "singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." Oh thank You, Lord Jesus, for these gifts!
So today, if you're in a valley, or facing a valley, maybe it's time to pull out the Word and sing to the Lord. Crank up the music. Make melody in your heart. And do it with thanksgiving--always and for everything. Not many exceptions in there. When thankfulness reigns, joy returns!
And oh my, He is so infinitely worthy.
In the words of the old Puritan in The Valley of Vision: "Teach me to laud, adore, and magnify thee, with the music of heaven, and make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to thee." Amen and amen.
To God be the glory.
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