Songs of deliverance

The Psalmist says, "Oh, how I love your law!" (Psalm 119:97). Now I know why. The best-kept secret in town is that God's commands are little doorways into grand pavilions of many rooms.

Put on "a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit" (Isaiah 61:3). "Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud" (Isaiah 54:1). "Finally, my brothers, rejoice n the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you" (Philippians 3:1).

I don't know how God can stand it sometimes. He stocks his Word with escape hatches from depression and temptation, and we skim them and say, "What lovely poetry." Poetry schmoetry---these are our deliverance. The commands are counselors; they are like a dentist's instruments laid out neatly to hand him on an as-needed basis.

But wait! You think I'm talking about psychology---the power of positive thinking, or better tapes to replace your broken records of fear and condemnation. That would be life on the natural plane. But we are in Christ and now it's a whole new ballgame---life on the spiritual plane. God has ordained that we secure his resources by our praise. He awaits our choice to worship---rather than to whine, complain, or give up---as an entry point for His presence and kingdom power.

He tells the "barren one," the person in pain and affliction, to sing. The command "to sing in the face of such a state would be a cruel act, were it not for the power of song. Isaiah's word is to deal with the barrenness through worship, to enthrone God in song in order to release his miraculous provision" (NKJV commentary on Isaiah 54:1).

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise!" (Psalm 100:4).

To hear commentaries by Andrée Seu, click here.