Song in the Storm

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops - at all

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm

I’ve heard it in the chillest land

And on the strangest Sea

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

“Hope is the Thing with Feathers”by Emily Dickinson

You’re waiting. You’re meditating.

Your strength is being renewed; even through the Storm of Depression.

And all throughout, a song of hope has been singing over your soul. It’s the song of the Lamb, and the song of the Saints around the throne who eagerly await His finale. Selah.

Take that Selah.

What song do you hear? We’re not talking about the song playing in the coffee shop right now or the untimely advertisement on Youtube. We’re listening in for His truth. What is His song over you in the storm?

At the parting of the Red Sea, the people of Israel were filled with so much awe and wonder that a new song bubbled out of them, as recorded in Exodus 15:1-3. The victory over Pharaoh's army was not something they could do in their own strength. A melody was in the heart of God from the moment he sketched out how to deliver them from Egypt. They were pressed to a stopping point as they fled, but He knew it was just a matter of time before vocal cords painted the atmosphere.

This 15th chapter of Exodus parallels the 15th chapter of the Book of Revelation. It, too, gives praise to God who has brought victory over the enemy.

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb, saying,
"Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."
Revelation 15:3-4

The song of victory for your life was, is, and will be sung. His righteous acts in your life were, are, and will be revealed. Your hope is not in vain, and there is one day where even your own vocal cords, in pitch or not, will join in this chorus. The song of hope is on your lips; you need only to sing…or maybe it’s as simple as listening.

The apostolic legacy in the book of Acts reminds us to listen for the song in the midst of the storm. In one scene, Paul and Silas were singing in prison, and it says that all began to listen. Just then, a great earthquake rumbled the ground, and all the shackles were loosened and doors were opened. What sticks out is that ‘the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) It’s almost as if God was waiting not just for Paul and Silas to worship Him before He performed a miracle of freedom, but to get the full attention of the shackled. It was now everyone’s story to tell. They were all meditating on the acts of God through song, and He indeed acted again.

Reflection

Is there a song that has helped to bring you encouragement during this season of your life? Play it today in your bedroom, your car, or while in transit to work. The song of the Lord is ever with you, and he’s even singing over you. Let Zephaniah 3:17 resound over you today.

“The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”