A New Song

Yesterday I noticed something new.  For some time I have been working to remind myself to "enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise" (Psalms 100: 4)   I would find myself awakening and starting to pray, only to realize I was once again beginning with requests and having to remind myself to start with gratitude instead.  Yesterday, I woke up with a scripture of praise in my heart and mind.  The gratitude came FIRST. YAY!  It's finally starting to sink in!!!

This morning something similar happened as I awoke.  This time it was the words of a song that I haven't thought of in years.  "There's a new song in my heart."  The full chorus goes something like "There's a new song in my heart since the Savior set me free. There's a new song in my heart 'tis a heav'nly harmony. All my sins are washed away in the blood of Calvary. Oh what peace and joy nothing can destroy, there's a new song in my heart." 

I DO feel I've been set free. Yesterday I also woke up KNOWING that I had been procrastinating about something because of fear and that I needed to move forward with what I had been guided to do before I would experience the healing I've been seeking.  The guidance was SO clear (and I'd been praying that it would be!).  So, yesterday I put a LOT of time and energy into moving forward to face my fears and walk through them.

Yes, I'm facing a fair amount of fear in this new endeavor, but I've been reminded that the flip side of fear is excitement.  A friend once suggested to me that if I don't feel SOME fear about a new endeavor, it probably isn't God's will because God's plans are generally big enough to require His strength and power in me.  While this might be an oversimplification, and while I believe if I am fully living in faith I will feel no fear because I will trust God's love for me completely, I HAVE had a couple of other times in my life where I felt this sort of fear - and walking through it was the most amazing and freeing thing I've ever done.  I'm experiencing this again today as I continue to seek His will in my life.  Thank you, God!

There are quite a few verses in the Bible that talk about a "new song". Here is one that really speaks to me this morning. "He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." Ps 40:3, New Living Translation.  Certainly the first part of this verse is my experience today. And I don't know about others, but I see what He has done in me and am amazed. Thank you, Father!

Father, this morning I once again praise you for your love, your power, and your guidance in my life.  I am SO grateful! Thank you for giving me the courage and ability to walk forward into this new endeavor despite my fear.  Thank you for the multiple instances of reassurance that this is indeed the path to which you have called me at this time.  Thank you for giving me the sense that it won't be as hard as I've been afraid it would be. Thank you for all I've been able to get done so far, and for your strength and energy as I move forward into this day.  May I do your will, Father.  Amen.