Psalm 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my defense (or song);
    he has become my salvation.

As I read this I was regretting that I hadn’t extended the reading to the end of the Psalm when I made up the list, and then I noticed that the 2^nd half is tomorrow’s reading! This particular verse has long been a favorite of mine, probably because of my coming from such a musical family. The Japanese specifies “song of praise,” and I think that’s an important distinction. There are lots of songs that aren’t expressions of the Lord, unfortunately. I think it’s interesting that it says the Lord has become my salvation. He is the only Savior, but it is when we turn our hearts to Him in the obedience of love that He becomes our salvation. It’s been many years since I first heard the explanation that salvation in Christ is like a huge fortune deposited in a bank in our name. It might be there, but until we believe it’s there and go to take possession of it, it does us no good. Evangelism is telling people the money is there, but too many people either think they don’t need it, or that you must be lying to them, because they don’t deserve it. Frankly, they don’t, because none of us do, so that’s why it’s all by grace through faith. When we really get His salvation into our hearts and minds we are strong indeed, and we can’t help singing His praise!

As I have mentioned before, I really love the little chorus that goes, “You are the words and the music; You are the song that I sing. You are the melody, You are the harmony, praises to You I will bring. You are the Mighty God, You are the Prince of Peace, You are the King of all kings. Now I return to You the song that You gave to me; You are the song that I sing.” I consistently used singing as a tool in teaching speech therapy (since it is an effective tool for that purpose) and I would teach my students that song, explaining that it was the reason for my singing so much. You could say that song is an expansion of this verse! I have received Christ as my salvation, and I need to let Him pour through me as strength and song, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I’ve been quite aware of You using me the past few days, and I’m deeply grateful. May I be ever more available and useful to You, for Your purposes to be accomplished in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!