During its heyday, I wasn’t interested in listening to good old rock and roll. But as an adult, I’ve developed a fondness for the music I missed as a teenager. If it interests you, try to name a few classic rock bands that have remained relevant in the music scene.
Some that come to mind include Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and U2 (my personal favorite, although they wouldn’t be considered “classic rock”). I don’t consider myself a fan of all these bands, but I respect the fact that they continue to appeal to a wide selection of audiences. Their success and longevity can be attributed to their talent, artistic song-writing, and performance abilities. But there’s one more characteristic that any devoted follower of Jesus can learn from these men. In fact, it can transform their relationship with God.
Please join us in our daily Bible conversation to discover what it is!
TODAY’S READING
Jeremiah 49:23-50:46
Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 26:13-16
INSIGHTS AND EXPLANATIONS
Jeremiah 49:23-50:46. A sense of irony arises in Jeremiah’s prophecy against Babylon in chapter 50. Remember that in the previous chapters, Jeremiah referred to Babylon as a tool of God. He also encouraged Judah to submit to the Babylonian invaders or they would die. As a result, he was accused of being a traitor and after the invasion, the Babylonian army treated him well. But here, he speaks judgment against them. Prophecy can be an equal opportunity offender.
Titus 1:1-16. Like Timothy, Titus was one of Paul’s young protégés as well as a trusted companion. Titus played the role of a trouble shooter in Paul’s churches, often left with the task of cleaning up church messes–which he did in Corinth (read 2 Corinthians 7-8) and now in Crete (Titus 1:5). Although he accompanied Paul on many of his journeys, he isn’t mentioned in the book of Acts, which has led some scholars to believe that he was related to Luke, the book’s author. Out of propriety, writers at that time often intentionally ignored themselves and relatives in their writings.
If you’ve found A Daily Bible Conversation helpful, share it with your friends! Forward your daily email or send them a link to the website: http://www.bibleconversation.com.
THE WORD MADE FRESH
David was undoubtedly the greatest musical artist in the Bible. Not only did soothe King Saul’s troubled soul with his harp playing, but he also wrote countless psalms that churches sing 3,000 years after they were written. That’s nothing short of amazing!
David definitely wasn’t a one hit wonder—which is what he shares in common with the relevant rock bands—or groups of any genre—of today. Staying relevant in any form of music requires fresh songwriting about common (and often tired) themes.
In Psalm 98, David begins with the exhortation to “Sing to the Lord a new song.” The phrase “new song” is a common phrase in his lyrics, appearing six times in the Psalms: 33:3, 40:3 (the basis for U2’s song 40), 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, and 149:1. Admittedly, some of the aforementioned psalms go without a byline, but the fact that they resemble the psalms written by David lead me to conclude that he wrote them. At a minimum, they were written by nameless psalmists with David in mind!
But what’s the point of singing a new song? They give us a different perspective on God which revitalizes our tired worship.
I once tried to thank God for something different every day. After a week, I started running out of things that I was thankful for. But pressing harder into this pursuit opened new insights into the many ways God has blessed me.
Ten years ago, following a painful church experience, I wrote a book of prayers entitled Prayers To Move Your Mountains. In order to avoid falling into a rut of saying the same thing over and over again, I forced myself to intentionally think about the prayers I was writing. I meditated on God’s word, prayed about what I should pray, and I looked for new ways to express my heart to God. In the end, my wounded heart was healed!
If you want to break out of the doldrums in your walk with God, write a new song. It doesn’t need to be musical—just spend time meditating on God’s word, pray about what you want to say, and then look for new ways to express your heart to God. Write a poem, create a work of art, write a song or a prayer–something different that will help you break free from your rut.
I promise that it will open new pathways in your walk with God!
CONVERSATION STARTERS
- What spoke to you in today’s reading?
- If you were to write a new song to God, what would you say?
- Would you like to share a “new song” with our daily Bible conversation community?
If you’re reading this blog on FaceBook and you’d like to join the conversation, click here.
Michael co-pastors The Neighborhood Church with Eugene Scott in Littleton, Colorado.
The Neighborhood Café 