PRÉCIS ON THE REMNANT’S FINEST HOUR I: A NEW SONG FOR THE END OF THE AGE

SCRIPTURE. “Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound. For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.” – PSALM 33:3-5, AMPC

KEY TERM: “SING A NEW SONG!” From ‘Shir’ [שִֽׁירוּ־]: “‘To go about as a minstrel singing and praising the Lord;’ it is a form of worship and lifestyle [to sing and praise God despite the circumstances]; it is to be carried out whether for the celebration of victory or mourning death or loss; in ancient Israel, singing was a means of expressing emotion, recounting history, and teaching theology.”

QUOTATION. “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25). Paul and Silas had been beaten with rods (v. 22). They were put into prison and their feet were in stocks (v. 24). Their feet were spread as far apart as possible in order to produce severe leg cramps. Do you think they felt like singing praises to God? Not likely, neither would any of us. Why did they sing and praise God? They had peace – ‘Divine Peace:’ They were able to remain calm during very stressful circumstances because they trusted God. They knew that God was in control of everything, and His purposes would be accomplished. The same can be true for us.

There are a lot of times that we don’t feel like singing and praising the Lord, but it helps. It may not result in something as dramatic as an earthquake, which is what happened with Paul and Silas (v. 26). However, it will lift your spirits out of whatever prison and stocks that you are in.” ― CAROLYN DALE NEWELL, In the Storm, 2013; edited

DK’S TAKE. For a full day recently, I could not get a Spanish word out of my mind, though I had no clue why or what it meant: “Esperanza.” Although part of my heritage is Hispanic, I did not recognize this term, thinking it was only the name of a person or place. Turns out its literal meaning is:

“Hope.”

Which takes us straight to the point of this Teaching. So long as we have Christ as our Sovereign in every possible way, and all the attesting Promises, Miracles and Destinations awaiting and accompanying us, we should never, ever lose Hope. And that is why I often say, “I’m pumped!”

Because I am. (Mostly).

Or in the Words from JAMES THE APOSTLE: “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.” – VV. 2-4, AMP

CODA. In the simplest of terms, beloved: ‘He’s Preparing us for Battle, for Victory, for Sacrifice, and for His Return.’ In order to be found in Courage and Honor rather than Cowardice or Shame.

Maranatha!