A song of victory

We have a tender and loving Father who is touched by the feelings that our infirmities give rise to. Even Jesus wept when the time of his trial came. He knows our suffering for having Himself lived and He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us and bring words of hope and peace to our souls.

It is interesting to note that the world is watching us when we go through trials, and it expects us to sing in the midst of our most difficult times. We see an example in the Word.

"We sat on the banks of the rivers of Babylon, and we wept, remembering Zion. At the willows of the country we had suspended our harps. There, our conquerors asked of us songs, and our oppressors of joy : Sing to us some of the songs of Zion" (Psalms 1371-4).

This psalm describes the captivity of Israel by the Babylonians, when the people of God had lost everything, including his country. Yet their captors wanted to hear the songs of victory for which the Israelites were reputed. "Sing for us! We have heard of the great songs of victory you offer to God, so play them for us !" I do not believe that this request was motivated solely by mockery. The Babylonians sincerely wished to hear a testimony. Their own religion left them empty, dry and desperate.

In the same way, today, the world demands a song of victory from the people of God. What they really want to know is, "How are you going to react in your ordeal ? We have heard that you think that your God is faithful and mighty. So, do you trust Him in times like this ? Was your song of deliverance only for good times, like a fantasy for a child ? Or does your faith really stand when the hard times come ?"

Our society desperately seeks hope and peace in these troubled times. People want to know the truth of Isaiah 26: 3 : "You shall keep in perfect peace the spirit that relies upon you." And they will look to the children of God for such testimony.

David Wilkerson