Sing a Song in the Night

Last night I was staying in a hotel room and a bird sang late into the night keeping me awake. At 4:30 in the night, the bird started singing again and woke me. This time God spoke to my heart. He said to my spirit, " You need to be like this bird, and sing songs to me in the night. Sing songs to me when you are at your lowest, not just in the good times."

Job. 35:10 says,"But no one says, Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night."

This inspired me to write a poem, such as it is.

Sing a Song in the Night

There's a nightingale singing in the night

God speaks to my soul...be like this bird.

Sing a song to me in the night.

When the night is long, all is not calm... all is not bright.

You can't see me in the dark,

Reach out to me.

It takes faith...

Faith sings when times are stark.

Sing when your soul is bare.

I inhabit praise.

You will find me there.

I have led you to this dark place so you will find me.

Find me sweeter... Find me dearer...

To find your voice is stronger.

Let it soar to the heights!

You could sing before, though weakly.

The night brought out your richer tones,

More melodic and bright.

Sing a song for mercy.

Mercy that brings you through the valley

Where I am walking with you.

At times I even carry you.

Sing a song of deliverance.

Until you see the dawn break through.

Just know that I am leading you.

Whatever I may bring you to.

Until that welcomed time where the dawn is born.

Keep singing to me that song.

That song that I gave you.

That sweet song in the night.

"Nevertheless"

This past Sunday we were so privileged to hear Mark Sweeting speak to us at Hocutt. Mark and Sharon are Missionaries. I will not say where, but as I was thinking about all that they have sacrificed to go, I came across this verse, "And Simon answering said unto him, Teacher, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net." (Luke5:5 KJV)

Simon, James and John had been toiling and fishing all night without catching any fish. Fishing like they did 2000 years ago would be tiring. They would throw the nets out over and over again, and pull them back in. I imagine they were tired. Human reason and physical exhaustion would make them want to stop. But Jesus told them to try it one more time. Simon said one word that caught my attention, "nevertheless". In other words, even though I'm tired from fishing all night, nevertheless, I will obey you.

William Chalmer Burns was a missionary to China in 1847. After seven years he wrote, "I do not know of a single soul brought to Christ through me." Nevertheless, he persevered.

The country that Mark and Sharon have gone to is very dangerous. We hear about it on the news, car bombings and other things that would make anyone apprehensive about going...nevertheless, they went.

Mark and Sharon has children and grandchildren that they dearly love and miss... nevertheless, they went.

What is your "nevertheless"?

God may ask you to sacrifice your time, talent, treasure, family, home, comfort. He may ask you to toil in your menial, everyday tasks and live in obscurity. No one may ever know the things you do for the Lord, and for His kingdom. Whatever the situation, are you willing to say, "Nevertheless Lord, I will obey you"?

Let us live, and obey in the magnificent word...Nevertheless.