Giving in or Giving Up

What is the difference? I don't want to give up, but how do I determine if it is God who is closing a door, and it is  time to move on and let go and I need to yield to God's new plan.   Or am I allowing discouragement to take over and I'm giving up.   I will continue to be praying about this situation. I don't want to give up, but I do want to follow God's leading and guidance. More to come...…….

I'm Back Again

I began this blog, excited about being diligent about sharing my thoughts with others who could benefit.  Now, seven years later, I’ve only written a few thoughts here and there…. very sporadically. It’s not that God has not been working; it’s just that I have not been diligent in writing about how He is working.

 So much has happened in the years since I started this endeavor.  A few health issues for an aging couple and wonderful trips together across our beautiful country are part of the list.   A granddaughter graduated from a good Bible college; and married a wonderful Christian man.  Another granddaughter has started high school, doing well and excited about what she would like to do in the future.  Grandsons are working, attending college, and family members are growing in the Lord.  Of course there have been disappointments along the way, but everything that God sends into our lives is for our good, our growing and His glory. 

God is teaching me that all along the way.  A few months ago I stumbled upon this song written many years ago by John Newton, which addresses this thought. I found this hymn at a time when God was answering a prayer, but definitely not in the manner in which I thought He should.  The words to this hymn, found below, blessed and convicted me, and still bring tears to my eyes.

I Asked the Lord  

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and ev’ry grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer,
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And, by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev’ry part.

Yea, more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Humbled my heart and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried;
“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”
“’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”


Credits:
Words by John Newton (1779), music Traditional
Public Domain

According to scripture, music is very important.

Sing/Singing is mentioned 121 times in the Bible.  It is the most recorded of the commandments,; “sing to the Lord”. The count rises to 209 if you use the New English version of the Bible.

Over 1150 verses in the Bible reference a form of

 words, which may be related to music.

 David, was the great musician in scripture having written 150 songs recorded in Psalms, He was the official musician in Saul’s court helping soothe his anxiety.  During David’s own reign, he organized the Levitical musicians with more than one in ten Levites in the temple served as musicians.

Music was used in conjunction with all manner of activities in scripture.  Music was used at feasts, coronations, celebration of victory, guidance, mourning, and soothing anxiety.

In addition it is a command, found in Colossians 3:16.

 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”