Ultra Sound

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV).

God consistently ministers to me through music. It can be a classic hymn, a modern praise song, or secular music that has spiritual meaning arising from it. Underst&ably, this verse from Zephaniah is a favorite of mine. I was curious how other translations presented its end-point message.

• “. . . He will sing joyfully because of you.” (TNAB)
• “. . .He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” (KJV)
• “. . .With his love, he will calm all your fears.” (NLT)

As a lover of words, the lyrics in a song reach the deepest parts of me. I can have prayed during difficult times with no relief evident. Then a song will be heard or remembered & it brings the needed release.

The verses above state that God finds joy in singing because of me. He not only wants me to hear him calming me, but is joyful just to be with me. Imagine that!

As I was preparing this writing, an unexpected test result required a medical ultra sound for diagnosis. The test itself was not unnerving to me but the uncertainly of what might be wrong has been. I had music playing the day I prepared to leave home for the appointment. Such a perfect song was heard. I carried it with me. God would be singing over me during the long test.

Medical ultrasounds penetrate deeply into a physical body to discover details that man’s eye cannot see unaided. For some reason, the challenging symptoms I live with escalated to fearful heights during the test. Could I feel, or hear God singing to me? No. Did I keep singing internally? Yes. Did his care penetrate deeply as the medical tools did their work? Yes. Were we a duet? Yes.

Prayer: Lord, I am aware that the ultrasound I most need is the whisper of your presence in the midst of my turmoils. Thank you that your songs of delight are not dependent on my feelings but always echo your faithfulness & consistent love. Amen

About the Author:
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.