“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
Psalms 40:1-3 NIV
I spent my first year of college denying the existence of God. I was seemingly happy pursuing my own defined set of rules and chosen lifestyle. I was like a pig wallowing in the mud of the world. Self-sufficiency and independence were my heart songs. And yet, I was becoming more aimless and anxious as the months of rebelliousness continued.
Ignorant of my motives, I started running and moved overseas. Lonely, unhealthy and overwhelmed with my situation, I finally surrendered to His existence and His control. The Lord heard my cry and lifted me out of the mud and mire. He transformed this muddy pig into His beautiful, beloved sheep. He put a new song into my heart and the joy of His salvation replaced my old filth-filled lyrics. An immediate transformation took place from being aimless and anxious to walking in peace and purpose. Even as a sheep, I sometimes return to play in the mud but it’s not in my new nature to stay there. The Lord washes me with His forgiveness and sets me again on firm ground.
Over the years, the Lord has continued to teach me new verses to His song. The verse of trust when chaos ensues with lost jobs and death of loved ones. The verse of hope as we pray for family members to embrace God’s truth. The verse of peace in the chaos and turmoil of family situations and recent world events. The verses we learn may be different but the refrain is always the same, the joy of our salvation.
What song, or what lyrics, are you embracing this Christmas season? Consider focusing on our eternal song, one of praise and gratitude, and less on the holiday jingles.
