This morning I read scripture aloud. I have found that there is something special about taking the time to do this. I imagine that I am ‘there’ as I read, right inside of the words. I especially take my time reading aloud when Jesus is speaking. It lets the tone and fullness of the words flood into my heart as they are spoken.
Often we drift into a “thinking knowledge” of God’s Love and Grace, even memory of Scripture can become dry. It rehearses in our minds and the truth, the real Spirit behind it fails to capture our hearts in the way that it is intended to. We are not transformed. We need to refresh.
Scripture is alive. It is a living experience, just as our relationship with Christ is alive and living in the present.
There was such delight this morning in reading. All that had become settled and flat in me lifted up and was refreshed. As I read I was so moved by the tenderness and mercy of Our Lord that His Grace flooded me. His Love for me became a palpable Living experience once again.
God’s Spirit moves it through us, like miraculous music that fine-tunes everything that was formerly “singing out but wandered off”, longing for harmony and lulls it back to Love, to God Himself. We are drawn into the chorus of Love. Our hearts are filled again with delight. We are drawn into the Song of Christ.
Isaiah 12.2 –“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Psalm 28.7 –“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I will thank Him with my song.”
Psalm 32.7 –“You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 40:3 –“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 103 1-5 “A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name…”
Isaiah 42:10 –“Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell there.”
Prayer to Worship Well
Father,
Yield my heart to the hearing of your call
help me to turn from the world that I see…
from all that is called “this”-
from matters called “that”
and open my eyes and ears to the majesty of You.
Let me bask for moments, holy
in the stillness of your peace so beautiful and blessed.
Return me to the womb of your Love.
Soften all the calls that are not your own
and draw me into your glorious Song.
I long for you alone.
Soak my heart in your mercy and grace.
Direct my path and strengthen my faith.
Thank you for calling me into your peace,
I praise you for singing such Love into my soul.
In Christ’s Name
Amen
© 2019 Linda Willows
The BELOVED 