I Sing Because I''m Happy!
by Mary E. Adams
I Sing Because I’m Happy!
Jesus Did It!
By: Mary E. Adams
One day I was down in Florida visiting my kids. Ruth, my
daughter-in-law, had an old piano...seldom played. But I felt like
playing and got out an old hymnbook and was enjoying myself when
suddenly my granddaughter, Rebecca, climbed up on the bench beside me.
“What are you playing, Grandma?” she asked. “A hymn”, I replied.
“What is a hymn?” “These are old songs that people wrote long
ago...songs about Jesus” I answered her. “Play some more,
Grandmother...those are good! I like them!” she said. Then it struck
me...I realized she had never heard them in her entire life...all she
knew were the new choruses, as they did not play hymns in her church.
How sad that a generation had not been touched by those old, glorious
songs...most of which were written during the days of great revivals
two hundred years ago.
When I was in Scotland, we visited in a home of some Christians. The
church we ministered in was very old, and though it was a building
that could have seated several hundred, only a few remained. But we
preached with anointing, and the people were so thrilled because they
were feeling the “Old Time Religion” in their midst. They wanted and
hungered for more...so they invited us to their house. Way into the
night we shared and sang songs. There were tears and many sat as if
they were lost deep in their thoughts....remembering those special
times in the presence of the Lord. I will never forget it.
Scotland, England, Wales...all those countries had witnessed those
great revivals and heard men of God such as Wigglesworth, George
Mueller, John Wesley. The fires of revival had swept Europe and
eventually came west to our shores. The drunkard left the saloons,
the wayward found the beacon, the hurting and oppressed walked in new
found joy. Those hymns poured forth from the hearts of men and women
overcome with deeply personal experiences with God.
You and I are surrounded by so many things that try to take the place
of “A closer walk with Thee”. We seek relief in so many ways...in
pursuit of pleasure, in new relationships, in the newest toy, in
whatever money can buy. Years later, one can find most of these
discarded treasures in garage sales or in divorce courts. All too
soon we find ourselves old, without ever possessing anything that
brought us peace and lasting joy. Like a heavy blanket, depression
soon overtakes us, amid fears and desperation. We feel swallowed by
the darkness which always torments us.
“Only those things that reach deep into the heart of man and touch
his spirit will remain forever.”
There is a reason for this. If we become consumed by what is new,
fanciful, and delightful we may enjoy it for a season...yet all things
are subject to the scrutiny of time. Only those things which reach
deep into the heart of man and touch his spirit will remain forever.
And if we fail to discover them, we have nothing but emptiness to
consume our limited time on this earth.
On a subway in Tokyo I was sitting with friends that had come to the
airport to meet me and take me to their home. We were all so joyous
and excited to see one another again...because of our bond of
friendship in the love of Christ. As we carried on, a Japanese man
had been watching us across the aisle. Suddenly, he came over to us
and asked a question. “I am puzzled” he said. “Why are you all so
happy?” It caught us off guard, but we answered, “because we have
Jesus Christ in our hearts and He brings us joy”. Then he said a
remarkable thing, “I am a psychiatrist. I have never been able to make
anyone happy like all of you”. We had the wonderful privilege of
sharing with him how this treasure could be his also.
Perhaps you already know God, but you find yourself doubting His
faithfulness. Have you strayed away from His heart, looking at things
of this world as answers? Look at the things you have already
discarded, thrown away, and ceased to love....because they were
Band-Aids on an open sore.
But there is an answer that does not come from this earth...it comes
from above.
I have discovered the faithfulness of God
In the midst of my present sickness, I can truthfully say that I am
completely happy! Why? Because, as a Christian, I have discovered
the faithfulness of God.
No...it has not kept me from trials and disappointments....God loves
me enough to strengthen my faith in Him, and so allows them, for my
good. But God always brought me into a safe haven and the end was
always a treasured testimony of this faithfulness. His Word has
promised that” all things work together for GOOD to them that are
called, according to His promises.” I may not understand why I am
going through something that is painful and exhausting, but I know
that from the beginning, my illness is for my good...and one day He
will tell me why it was good. “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life...” These are words that are deeply implanted in
my heart and spirit...they are the light bulbs I switch on every time
darkness comes along. He will never let go of my hand!
Friend, are you in the midst of much trouble? Are you fearful and
anxious? Are you “at the end of your rope?” That too is GOOD! Because
now there is an opportunity for you to do as I have learned to do! It
began long ago with a confession and repentance for my sins and a
calling unto Him, my Heavenly Father to forgive and save me. I meant
it with all my heart. And He did...because He is faithful to His word.
And so, as I drew near to Him, He did the same to me. I began to live
in His faithfulness...it has stood that test of time and remains in me
today. A new song was written in my heart that I will sing forever,
Amazing Grace...how sweet the sound!
So it is no wonder that this old woman keeps singing.
Mary E. Adams
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