May 29, 2014
The hymn writer said it beautifully. He took his inspiration from his own experience of Christ, no doubt, but also from the men of old like David who wrote similar words.
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:11-12)
The whole of the Bible (and human history) is an endless story of God's incredible redemption. In fact, the human story can be summarized in 3 acts.
Act 1: THE CREATION
God fearfully and wonderfully made us to display His glory and be with Him
Act 2: THE FALL
We have sinned and are separated from Him
Act 3 – THE RESCUE
God sent Christ to pay for our sins that we may be forgiven and reunited with Him by faith in this life and the life to come.
Act 2 is the saddest part of every man's story. These are the days of mourning. We may not realize what the problem is, but to be disconnected from the Father is the worst condition of the human experience. To live in our sin and shame and selfishness is grueling. Facing the prospect of eternal separation is what causes us to run everywhere, without knowing, for some relief in this life. False gods ply their wares before us, offering us hope, but they are clouds without water, broken cisterns, empty promises.
But the contrast between Act 2 and Act 3 could not be greater. And the joy of our redemption through Christ is what lifts us and puts a ""new song in our heart; a song of praise to our God."" It makes our feet dance and gives us the clothing of gladness. We cannot be silent and find an eternal song of thankfulness erupting from our innermost being.
If you are not singing and dancing it may be because you have not yet entered into Act 3 of God's story. Or, perhaps you have been momentarily sidetracked or burdened with the cares of this life and have forgotten the phenomenal work God has done for you and what awaits around the next bend of your history. The remedy for a silent soul? Look up. Remember what He has done. Walk alongside others who are experiencing Act 3 and soon your soul will begin again to sing!
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