Psalm 98: 4
I was recently walking during the evening, listening to the crickets beginning their nighttime songs. Although I'm not fond of crickets (one of them jumped me years ago while I was feeding my fish, and fish food went everywhere), I do love listening to their calming chorus.
I thought of how God listens to His creation and takes pleasure in it. About a decade ago, someone slowed down cricket song on a recording, thinking that it sounded like a human choir. Some have assailed the work as false. I heard a different version years ago (that now I can't find) that sounded inhuman and eerie, yet beautiful in its way, when slowed down. The closest version to that I can find now is at https://www.kmuw.org/musical-space/2014-06-10/musical-space-what-do-crickets-sound-like-slowed-down .
God exists outside of time, so He can listen to crickets at whatever speed He chooses. I know it sounds lovely and perfect to Him.
A few years ago, I was sitting in worship next to a young lady with special needs. We were both singing a hymn with the congregation, and I couldn't help but notice that she didn't hit one note right. As soon as I had that thought, I was convicted to hear her the way God hears her: Making a joyful noise to His praise and glory. I sang with tears in my eyes, knowing that her song was as beautiful to God as a well-trained soprano's aria.
Not that I'm a great singer myself; I sometimes make an "awful" noise to the Lord rather than a "joyful" one. But we sing anyway, as Psalm 98: 4 tells us:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
We gladden God's heart when we sing with joy to Him. Mostly that's because He loves us so much. As I describe in my latest book, "Live Like You're Loved," God possesses a waterfall of love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness for each of us. God created you uniquely and loves you individually with all the force of a waterfall. And He loves it when you sing to Him. Who knows? Maybe we sound better slowed down!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it! If you have ever struggled with your self-worth, if you have ever doubted God's love for you, if you have ever felt like you weren't fully exhibiting His love in your daily life, then my book and video series, "Live Like You're Loved," is for you. Learn more at www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/live-like-you-re-loved.