Article
A New Year Song
People all over the world awaited the conclusion of 2020. A desire for newness resounded. What song might the new year sing? Yet, not even a month into the new calendar year, a familiar refrain plays.
Our desire for newness isn’t new. Many resolve that when they begin post-secondary school, when they enter the workforce, or when they switch jobs that the chorus and tempo of life will change. A new start in a new country could provide blank sheet music, allowing them to become anyone they desire with no historical off-key renditions echoing every movement. Yet still, the score repeatedly builds to a disappointing crescendo.
This new calendar year has provided another new beginning filled with lyrics nobody wants to sing.
This new calendar year has provided another new beginning filled with lyrics nobody wants to sing. The sorrowful melody resounds. This isn't the triumphant victory we prayed for, but maybe there is room for a reflective and lonely score in God’s opera.
In these times of uncertainty and concern, the Word of God croons a melody that never changes. The Lord is our strength and our shield; our hearts trust in Him, and we are helped; therefore, our hearts exult, and with our song we shall thank Him (Ps 28:7). Our hope is not in the government, medications, or lockdowns. Our hope is in the Lord. He puts a new song in our mouths, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord (Ps 40:3). Like Moses, writing and teaching a song to the sons of Israel (Deut 31:22), we must remind a watching world that God is our hiding place. He preserves us from trouble. He surrounds us with songs of deliverance (Ps 32:7). The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; His song will be with us in the night (Psalm 42:8).
No matter how tuneless and chaotic the first notes sound, God is composing new morning mercies.
No matter how tuneless and chaotic the first notes sound, God is composing new morning mercies.
All creation sings of His glory. Lonely notes build urgency. Hearts bang out victory as He puts a new song in the mouths of His people. He pulls from each one in perfect time and harmony. The melodic line moves His people, and we sing our praises to Him and tell of His wondrous works. Our song is our witness.
This New Year of new closures and new disappointments is sheet music penned by the Maestro's hand. Tune your ears to the song this concerto proclaims. A new heaven and new earth await. Today's lonely melody is the prelude to tomorrow's victory. The longing of our hearts and the upheaval of a nation prove that earth was never meant to be our victory song. One day, those who believe will join the angels in heaven and sing for all eternity of God's great faithfulness. We will sing our songs of repentance and dependence on Christ. We will sing with endless joy the song of the redeemed.
Until then, sing.
Sing of the new mercies God’s given for this new year. Sing to your God, who is worthy to be praised. Sing to Him because you are His, known by name and redeemed. You are not alone in the rough waters, rushing rivers, or burning flames. They may hurt for a moment but can never consume you if the Lord is your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour (Isaiah 43 1-4). The Lord is your strength and song. He is your salvation. This is your God. Praise Him (Exodus 15:2). Learn this song and sing. Sing to the Lord. Praise His name and magnify Him with thanksgiving. Sing to the Lord, all the earth (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 69:30, Psalm 96:1).