Joyful Singing: Embracing God's Ways and Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Joyful Delight in God's Ways

True religion is not a burden but a source of joy and delight. Believers are encouraged to find pleasure in God's ways, which are paths of peace and pleasantness. Serving God with joy is a testament to one's faith and understanding of His love. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and care. When believers embrace this joy, they reflect the transformative power of God's glory in their lives. [02:42]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally find joy in serving God today, even if it feels like a routine or obligation?

Day 2: Singing in Service and Suffering

Believers are called to maintain a joyful heart in service, even in challenging circumstances. Singing while working, praying, or suffering is a testament to faith and trust in God. This joy in service is a powerful witness to others, demonstrating that true joy is found in God's presence, not in external circumstances. By singing in the ways of the Lord, believers show that their faith is alive and vibrant, even in the face of trials. [07:46]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: In what specific situation this week can you choose to sing and rejoice, even if it feels difficult or unnatural?

Day 3: Strength and Safety in God's Ways

God's ways provide strength, safety, guidance, and provision. These blessings assure believers of God's constant presence and care, giving them reasons to sing and rejoice. When believers walk in God's ways, they experience His protection and provision, which strengthens their faith and trust in Him. This assurance allows them to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with them every step of the way. [12:41]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's strength and safety in a specific area of your life where you feel vulnerable or uncertain?

Day 4: Witness Through Joy

Singing praises to God is a powerful witness to others. It can draw them to the joy and peace found in a life devoted to God. Believers are encouraged to let their joy in the Lord be evident to all, as it serves as a testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness. By living a life of joy, believers can inspire others to seek the same peace and fulfillment that comes from a relationship with God. [43:10]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Who in your life might be impacted by seeing your joy in the Lord, and how can you intentionally share that joy with them this week?

Day 5: Celebrating God's Attributes

Believers are called to sing of God's loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness. These attributes of God are reasons for praise and celebration, reminding believers of His unwavering commitment to them. By focusing on God's character, believers can find strength and encouragement in their faith journey. Singing of God's attributes not only deepens their relationship with Him but also serves as a reminder of His promises and faithfulness. [29:12]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: What specific attribute of God can you celebrate today, and how can you incorporate that celebration into your daily routine?

Sermon Summary

In the sermon, the focus is on the profound joy and privilege of singing in the ways of the Lord, as inspired by Psalm 138:5. The message begins with a vision of a future where even kings will sing praises to God, highlighting the transformative power of God's glory. Until that time comes, believers are encouraged to sing with joy, regardless of their status, because God values the praises of the humble as much as those of the mighty. The sermon emphasizes that true religion should be a source of delight, not a burdensome duty. It is a call to serve God with joy and to find pleasure in His ways, as they are paths of peace and pleasantness.

The sermon further explores the idea that believers should not seek joy outside of God's ways. True joy is found in the service of God, and those who seek pleasure elsewhere are likened to unfaithful spouses. Singing in the ways of the Lord is not just about finding joy in worship but also about maintaining a joyful heart in service, even in challenging circumstances. The sermon encourages believers to sing while they work, pray, and even in times of suffering, as this is a testament to their faith and trust in God.

The message also touches on the strength, safety, guidance, and provision that believers find in God's ways. These blessings are reasons to sing and rejoice, as they assure believers of God's constant presence and care. The sermon concludes with a call to sing not only in the ways of the Lord but also of the Lord Himself, celebrating His loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness. It is a reminder that singing praises to God is a powerful witness to others and can draw them to the joy and peace found in a life devoted to God.

Key Takeaways

1. kindness, truth, and faithfulness. These attributes of God are reasons for praise and celebration, reminding believers of His unwavering commitment to them. [29:12]
** [29:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Singing in the Ways of the Lord
[01:15] - Encouragement to Sing Despite Royal Silence
[02:28] - Gracious Persons Find Joy in Religion
[04:32] - The True Meaning of Recreation
[05:27] - Delight in God's Ways
[07:31] - Singing in Service and Suffering
[09:05] - The Royal Mixture of Song and Prayer
[10:21] - Singing Through Trials
[11:28] - Strength and Safety in God's Ways
[13:32] - Guidance and Provision on the Journey
[15:53] - Encouragement to Sing in the Ways
[18:50] - Singing of God's Ways to Us
[22:43] - The Good Road to Heaven
[28:42] - Singing of the Lord of the Way
[41:13] - Singing to the Glory of God

Sermon Clips

If the kings have not begun to sing let us sing, and well we may we have full permission to do it for the next verse encourages us, though the lord be high yet hath he respect unto the lowly, he will be just as pleased with the song of the peasant as with that of the prince with the psalm of the workman as with that of the monarch. [01:19]

A man's religion is worth nothing if it is not his chief delight, that which we do before god as task work is ill done and is not acceptable, god will not have slaves to grace his throne, nor would he be served by us in the spirit of bondage, it is his delight to be served by sons and to be waited upon by those who do his commandments with delight. [02:43]

They do not stop the work to go and sing but they sing as they work, sailors when they pull a rope make a cheery sound, as they heave the anchor they sing after their fashion, soldiers march to battle with sound of trumpet and beat of drum listening to music while they march, so christian men go on their pilgrimage and keep step to the sound of joyous psalms and hymns. [07:46]

When we are in the ways of the lord dear friends we are strong, they go from strength to strength when we walk as god would have us walk, we are made strong in the lord and in the power of his might, limping pilgrims cannot sing but those whose weakness cast itself upon the strength of god can sing. [11:36]

You have safety also for in the ways of the lord all his servants are protected from danger, in the king's highway no lion shall be there, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon, you shall be kept by the power of god through faith unto salvation in the ways of the lord, well may that traveler sing who is perfectly safe. [12:41]

We have one with us who will lead us into all truth, we have the comforter with us who will direct our way even to the end, how can we help singing pilgrims to zion city bound who have such a conductor as the infallible spirit of god ought to sing it would be treason on their part if they did not. [13:56]

I can speak well of the ways of the lord and earnestly stir up my fellow pilgrims to sing in them for they have been good ways to me, let us march on and sing on let us proceed with a step and a song, a step and a song let our halting places be charmed with sacred psalmidy and may the holy spirit the comforter abide with us. [15:51]

We will sing of god's ways to us but where shall we begin, shall we begin where god began with us with that eternal council chamber with that divine predestination with that secret decree of salvation by which he separated his people from the mass of the world and made them to be his wherever the earth was. [17:00]

The saddest saint is after all happier than the gladdest sinner, the best house in the city of destruction where everything is to be burned with fire is not equal to the poorest shanty on the road to heaven where if the pilgrim fares hard he is on the way to glory when we think of where we used to be. [19:52]

The glory of that way is that the prince emmanuel trodded with sorrowful steps he traversed that way and he has left the prince of his pierced feet all along it, it is for us to feel that it must be a good way since holy men and their glorious leader have trodden it, it is a way in which many who are very dear to us have gone. [22:56]

We are going forth with our staff in hand through a desert wild in a stranger land but our faith is bright and our hope is strong and the good old way is our pilgrim song, it is the good old way by our father's trod, it is the way of life and it leadeth unto god, it is the only path to the realms of day. [24:31]

Tell the young people that the most joyous life is the life that is nearest to god, that the most merry life is the life of the man who is found all for this world and all for the world to come in god and in his christ, god help you dear brothers and sisters to sing all the day long and may you even have songs in the night. [44:48]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?