Daily Devotionals
Sing a Little Louder
Posted in Joy
Scripture: “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3
As I sit down to write this devotional, truth be told, I can’t help but giggle a bit at myself. As I hold true to my typical devotional form and get ready to hit y’all with my current favorite tunes that I like to jam out to while riding down the road, I laugh because nobody has ever said that singing was a strength of mine. But there is something about Christian music that is so uplifting and encouraging that I find myself thinking I’m the next Justin Timberlake when I’m behind the wheel.
Bethel’s “Raise a Hallelujah”* is that current song for me. I simply can’t get enough of it, often finding myself listening to it on YouTube multiple times per day. Below is an excerpt that I hope each of you will find as encouraging as I have:
“I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!”
When I listen to these words, I am drawn back to the first book of James, with James telling us to “consider it pure joy” when we are faced with difficult trials. These trials or “storms,” as Bethel’s lyrics refer to them, are only here to test us. “Death is defeated, the King is alive!” How comforting and reassuring to all of us!! It is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” these storms will come our way, and Bethel encourages us to “Sing a little louder…. Heaven comes to fight for me!”
My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, trials of all kinds will be thrown at us from every angle. I challenge us all to “SING A LITTLE LOUDER!”
Prayer: LORD, thank you so much for the hope you promise us in your son, Jesus. When trials are thrown our way, I pray that we tackle them with joy, giving thanks to you in all circumstances. Amen.
Submitted by: Gabriel DiBiase
*Helser, Jonathan David; Melissa Helser; Molly Skaggs. “Raise a Hallelujah,” Bethel Music Publishing, 2018.