Desert Days – When You Have Forgotten the Words

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”

Last December I needed my friend, and bless her heart, she came through. The email she sent me in reply to my cry to ‘sing my song back to me!’ fairly rang with the rich chords of God’s promises.

The refrain she sang was “unstoppable legacy.”  She told me “the devil can’t stop you, and you know it, and he knows it.” She reminded me that I am a “living, breathing legacy of Christ…” She declared to me that the words to my song are “unstoppable, they are about overcoming, about how the power comes back on during the dark and scary storm.” And she affirmed to me that “He who spoke everything into existence is breathing new life into your song.”

I love my friend and I know she loves me. Because some time ago she listened to my heart; she really listened. She cared enough to remember the words to my heart song. And when I ached to be reminded of the seemingly distant melody with only snatches of Abba’s lyrics, she was able to sing it back to me.

Do you have a friend like that? Are you a friend like that?

This evening as I searched the scriptures before writing (my blog ritual), I found the following verse:

“I will remember my song in the night; I will speak (converse, dialogue) with my own heart, and my spirit carefully (diligently) searches.” Psalm 77:6 (LITV)

On a desert night, still camped in the wilderness while knowing the Promised Land God has given still lies ahead, do you remember your song? Do you have a conversation with your own heart? Do you allow your spirit to carefully search out anything the lamp of the Lord would shine upon so that your song can be sung brightly and in tune with His Spirit?

Or do you simply wander in worrisome doubt and unbelief, twin enemies of your soul? If you’re unsure God will supply even the basics – water from the rock and manna from heaven, if need be – perhaps you need to find a friend who knows your song and can sing it back to you. The warriors that prevail move out to conquer with “the praise of God in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hands,” Psalm 149:6 (NIV). Singing the high praises of God precedes victory, possession, and plunder of the enemy.

Our highly resistant, complaining, and disobedient friends, the Israelites, did not enter the Promised Land. They were given numerous opportunities to get their act together, God was so forgiving. But the day came they tested Him one too many times. Instead of remembering their song at night on their bed under the wilderness skies, I fear the conversations with their heart were a rehearsal of all that was wrong. While all along, God had promised them their own land, flowing with milk and honey and unbelievable fruit. The very substance of their own song which sadly, they had forgotten.

Please don’t forget yours…and if you have forgotten or it’s getting dim – run, don’t walk to that friend who knows you well and ask them to start singing your song.

Humming a few bars for you,

Nancy Charlene