I love this song that the Israelites sing

 Numbers 21:17  “Spring up O well! Sing about it”

I mean have you ever seen a well that springs up? Normally wells just sit there and you throw stuff down into the deep blackness - like stones and pennies and then wait for the plop as it hits the water. In fact come to think about it I have never seen a well so full that it could spring up. How could the Israelites get it so mixed up - is it a spring - or is it a well - come on make up your mind!!

Mmmm well as so many times I find myself saying to things in the bible - it is both!!! A well of life, consistancy and satisfaction as you reach into its depths and springs of refreshment, vigour and overflow. A well that springs up sounds like a fountain to me!!

So now tell me where was the source of the song and when did the singing begin? - yes after the well had sprung up. The song came from the overflow of water. Water in the bible is a  picture of the Holy Spirit - the source of the song is God himself. God moves - everyone sings!!! God starts - we join in.

When we come into God’s presence I have heard it said, and said it myself, “start by stiring yourself up”. It really should be said “start by letting God fountain in your spirit or give God room to burst out or let the Spirit overflow” - for what will follow will be nothing but praise and singing.

 Let the well spring up and then sing about it!!

Job 38:6-8 (New Living Translation)

 ⁶ What supports its foundations,
      and who laid its cornerstone
 ⁷ as the morning stars sang together
      and all the angels shouted for joy?

 This passage is talking about the creation of things - before our time began- and yet we find singing and shouting are already in full swing. The heavenly beings are already shouting, praising God and giving him glory. Today we are just joining in the throng and the sound of the ages. It is a song that has been going on since the angels were created and I have a sneaky feeling that God was singing before then.

What has this to do with God being our song? The source of the song is a heavenly one, from the throne itself. It is not dependant on our emotions, circumstances or abilities - it is the song that has been resounding through eternity that we are joining in. God is the source of the song and he is consistant, faithful and a rock - our song should mirror him. We should sing when we are feeling down, going through hard times or having a great day - the song is still the same - one of praise to our God. When we sing and it feels like we are alone just remember the song of the ages and the fact that you are joining in with the great orchestra of praises before time, before our time, those singing it with you now and all the generations to come - it is an eternal song of which the whole church sings with all the heavenly beings. You are not singing it alone.

  

Exodus 15:2 (New International Version) 

    The LORD is my strength and my song;
       he has become my salvation.
       He is my God, and I will praise him,
       my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

I have been facinated by the fact that God is our song these last few weeks. I am hoping to tell you why in the next few posts so that you can sing in a way you have never sung before.
I find in the bible a number of different songs:I have been facinated by the fact that God is our song these last few weeks. I am hoping to tell you why in the next few posts so that you can sing in a way you have never sung before.

I find in the bible a number of different songs:

The New Song - There are times in the bible where a new song in placed in our mouth
·   He gives songs of rejoicing 35:10
·   A new song Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 144:9, 148:8 Isaiah 42:10
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Songs of praise and rejoicing for what God has done - There are times when God has done amazing things and God’s people can’t help but sing! Songs that stand out as examples for this are Mirium’s song, David’s song, Deborah’s song and Mary’s song.
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The ultimate song - In Revelation there is a new song. The song appears different, and yet is the same (it is the song of Moses). It is the song of the culmination of all things. It is the song of ultimate intimacy and praise of a people toward their God as they see him face to face. A song of unity and oneness within the church and with all created beings.
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But here, in the above verse, we find that God is the song itself. (more…)

I don’t know whether you have been kitted out with a whole new wardrobe for school/college/uni as you look forward to going back for another year. This time for me as a youth worker is more significant than the 1st January. It is a time of freshness, newness and of dreams for what this accademic year brings  (including a snazzy new diary!).

I was watcihng my daughter put on all her new uniform  (she has upgraded from grey to black) and thinking this is a picture of what Jesus does with us when we become Christians. All the old shabby clothes that we used to wear day in and day out are no longer relevant. He gives us new clothes and gives us a new start. The only thing is we cannot wear them on top of our old clothes, we have to take are shabby clothes off first. All the old ways of doing things, old ways of thinking and speaking are not relevant for kingdom people. You will be pleased to know that he doesn’t put on us another uniform - but royal robes and a crown on our heads. This is who we are now. Are actions, words and thoughts are now to be noble and good. We are a royal people - our new birth was into a royal lineage.

Zechariah 3:3-5 (New International Version)

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