I read today’s verses and thought about how the hearts of the Ukrainians will swell when the announcement comes of “Peace!” I hope that message comes soon!
I wonder if the Israelites felt exceedingly joyful because their exile had been 70 long years, or if some of them had “settled” and were afraid of going into a “homeland” that had become an unknown.
Sometimes we look to the Lord for salvation. Sometimes we plow ahead on our own while the Lord is available and ready to save us.
Today’s mention of the lifesaving stations reminds me of a nautically-themed Christian song that is about realizing our place in the need for saving. It is a ballad, a song that tells a story, sung by the New Gaither Vocal Band, on their 1984 album. I highly recommend your giving it the 5 minutes it takes to listen. It still gives me chills after all these years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqKMWQu9YaQ I am interested in hearing what others think of it.
After I read today’s verses and devotional, I listened to the song, “You Shall Go Out with Joy.” I pictured the Ents from the Lord of the Rings movies marching along in a parade of celebration, dancing and clapping their hands to the music. Regardless of one’s frame of reference, these verses certainly create a striking visual! And I agree with Wiltschek about the upbeat melody of the song inviting us to join in.
Personally, I like to linger over the celebration of Palm Sunday, so I am grateful for these uplifting verses. I’d like to rest in that euphoria rather than move ahead toward Friday, the dark cloud that hangs over Holy Week.
I love the imagery in today's verses, especially the trees clapping their hands. This makes me think of today's "Bird Note" (a 2-minute daily podcast I try to listen to every morning). Today's Bird Note was about the importance of oak trees for birds. I highly recommend the website and the daily podcast. "Oaks support more caterpillars [needed to raise baby birds] than any other tree genus." The moral of the story: if you like songbirds, plant oak trees.
I am feeling convicted by Wiltschek’s questions in his last paragraph of today’s entry. Is the Good News of Christ “just bursting to come out” of me? While I treasure my relationship with Christ and feel it is a driving force in my life, I think I am rather quiet with my testimony, not talking about it much unless it happens to be part of the conversation already. Are my life choices a strong enough testimony to draw others to Christ? Should I be sharing more often with words? I wouldn’t want to offend anyone. Hmmmm . . .
Once at a Christian marriage seminar, I heard an interesting story about sharing our faith. Couple A was relating that Couple B, friends of theirs for several years, had invited them over for a social evening. When Couple A arrived, Couple B was very excited, “just bursting” with excitement to shar…
Thanks very much, Ellen. I'm going to be remembering that song (which I never heard before) and its message for quite a while.