Victory - Day Twenty-Nine: Sing a New Song

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!
The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Psa. 98:1-3, NLT (emphasis mine)

My girls used to laugh at the ridiculous songs I came up with to entertain them. Some were motivational - to inspire them to clean up, get ready for school, come for snack, and or just to celebrate a happy moment. They often sounded suspiciously similar to the latest commercial jingle or Sunday school song, with new and “creative” lyrics to fit the occasion.

They especially remember the “entertainment” I provided on our boat in the middle of Detroit Lake while we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks show. The kids were getting restless and feeling cooped up, so I grabbed our friend Tyler’s stuffed Putty Tat and began a long and ridiculous rendition of “Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue.” However, since those were the only real words I knew to the song, it morphed into descriptions of the kids, our long wait, what we could see in the semi-darkness, and the anticipated fireworks. They loved being the subject of Putty Tat’s impromptu performance.

Have you thought about how much our Father loves to hear each new generation’s new, original songs of love for Him? He treasures the old ones too, many of them classics, still as powerful and true today as when they were written. The psalms, hymns, and contemporary music throughout the centuries all bring joy to His heart. Yet we each need to praise God again in our own voice, in our own style, with a new song.

In fact, we’re encouraged to do that. It keeps the message fresh and alive and personal. His character and message do not change, but our experience of Him does. We relate to the fears and struggles expressed by past generations, as well as their praise for all God has done. But we need to express it too, thanking Him for personal victories, even if only for His ears.

God is more than worthy to receive all the praise we can give Him. He loves to hear our expressions of gratitude for the daily victories He brings our way. The world needs to hear our fresh stories too. Our faith is not a dry toast kind of existence, but alive and vibrant, active and ever-new.

So savor the old songs that remind you of God’s provision in the past, but add to them new songs about His work in your life today. Keep your praise fresh and as up to date as the newness of our Lord in every rising sun.