by Laura L. Bradford
Thinking back to early childhood, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a melody running through my head. I’ve always loved to sing, to hum, and even to dance as a way of releasing the feelings in my heart. Whether it’s a kid’s song like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or Handel’s bold “Hallelujah Chorus” from his Messiah composition, a melody has always played in my mind.
Following my surrender to the Lord in the 1970s, almost every tune running through my head has been a worship song. Most of them are taken from the King James Version scriptures, which served as a popular source of lyrics early in my walk of faith.
In recent days, my mind has replayed one of those pieces called “Miriam’s Song.”
Miriam was Moses’ sister who led Israel’s women to dance with great rejoicing after they escaped their Egyptian captors. The Lord miraculously parted the Red Sea, enabling His people to cross it on dry ground. When the Egyptians attempted to chase after Israel, the Lord caused the waters to rush back in place, drowning the Egyptians and their horses.
As all of Israel rejoiced over that amazing escape, Miriam led their women with the words “Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:21, KJV).
I’ve found the echoing praises of this song to be a blessing, continually focusing my thoughts on God. Lately they’ve helped me trust Him during several overwhelming trials.
In one case, I became the victim of a scam that threatened my bank accounts. However, the encouraging lyrics of Miriam’s song assured me that the Lord would save me from this enemy. He had me contact my bankers, who saw to it that I didn’t lose a penny to the scammer.
A second example is when the vision in my left eye suddenly went blurry. I found myself singing praises as the Lord made a way for me to get immediate attention from my ophthalmologist. Now the eye is healing rapidly.
Most recently, I was attempting to install a light bulb when I lost my grip on the bulb, and it fell into the bathroom’s ceramic sink, shattering instantly. Shards of glass flew everywhere. But as the words of Miriam’s song calmed me, the Lord showed me how to clean up the mess so not one shard was left to harm me.
Those are just three examples of why I’m incredibly grateful for God’s praises constantly playing in my mind. When I wake up feeling discouraged and overwhelmed, my sadness turns to joy as the song reminds me that the loving God who parted the sea has given His Spirit to be my guide through every difficult situation. He never leaves me alone. He will save me from my enemies. He will heal my physical problems. He has every answer, every provision, and every encouragement I need to get through even the worst of days. What a blessing that, regardless of what I face, my spirit is continually singing praises to the God who has such amazing mercy that He gave His only Son to pay the price for my sins. I pray that the songs playing in my mind will always bring encouragement, reminding me that God’s unfailing love will be with me forever.
