A Song of Celebration

I listened to Sunday’s sermon from my son’s church this morning.

It was Celebration Sunday, an event they schedule every May and December. It is a day designated to celebrate the work God is doing in their midst.

In scripture, we often see the Israelites celebrate God’s work. After they crossed the Red Sea and saw the Israelites drown, they celebrated God’s deliverance. Mirian wrote a song that was sung for many years after.

After the angel approached Mary to tell of the coming Messiah, Mary wrote a song. It expressed her amazement that God had chosen her.

The Israelites also set up stones of remembrance regularly. They created monuments from stones to mark God’s faithfulness. When they crossed the Red Sea. When they crossed the Jordan River. At Bethel and Gilgal. Repeatedly, they remembered God’s faithfulness.

In the service at Paradox Church (Ft. Worth, TX), several members read their very own songs of celebration. These individuals took the time to write out songs reflecting on God’s faithfulness and goodness in their lives, even in the midst of painful circumstances.

I know reflecting on God’s past faithfulness always bolsters my faith for today. It helps me remember how He has so carefully cared for me throughout my life. If He has been faithful before, why would He stop now?

As I listened to the sermon, I decided to write my own song of celebration. Maybe you will decide to do the same.

Dena’s Song of Remembrance

Oh God, you are my God! Earnestly I have sought you from childhood until today.

You called me at a tender age, made me your own.

You anointed me to preach the gospel, to comfort the broken-hearted (Isaiah 61:1).

You have been with me all the days of my life, faithfully guiding my steps.

Providing for me.

Standing with me even when my life crumbled before me.

When I tried to run from you, you were faithful even when I was faithless (2 Timothy 2:13).

You left the 99 to seek after me, the one lost sheep (Luke 15:4).

As I walked through the pain and devastation of divorce, I watched you tenderly care for me. You took the pain and used it for my good and your glory, to point the world back to you. You answered every broken prayer I prayed, even if the answers looked nothing like what I expected.

You were my Great I AM, exactly what I need exactly when I needed it.

You were my Provider, my Jehovah Jireh.

You were my friend, the one I turned to in my loneliness.

You were my helper, guiding my journey as a single mom.

You were my forgiveness, forgiving me for my sins and enabling me to forgive others.

You made all things work together for good for me, the one who loves you (Romans 8:28).

What this world meant for evil—to destroy me—you used for good.

You have allowed me to comfort others around the world with the comfort I have received (2 Corinthians 1:4). What a joy to testify of your faithfulness in my pain!

You were my healer, taking this broken woman and putting me back together again.

You were my kinsman-redeemer, buying me back to redeem my pain.

You were the granter of my deepest desires, putting me back in a beautiful family and sustaining me through the difficult days.

You, my Lord, are the Father to the Fatherless. You are the perfect parent, the promise keeper. You always have been and always will be so much more than I could ever want or need.

When I have nothing but you, you are more than enough. You are the strength in my weakness, the hope for tomorrow.

You are the One who is working in me, to do above and beyond all I could ever ask, hope or imagine.

To you be all glory and honor.

Praise be the name of the One who has always been faithful!