In the Old Testament, David’s music minister (or worship leader) was a guy named Asaph. Asaph was also was the band drummer. He was kind of like Bart from the Christian band “Mercy Me,” – wrote songs, sang, played percussion etc.
One day, after a struggle bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem (long story for another time), David directed Asaph to give thanks to the Lord. The first few lines found in 1 Chronicles go like this: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His holy name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done” (1 Chron. 16:8-12).
Our oldest son is a senior in college and will graduate in one more semester. He has a job this summer. It is more than flipping burgers, and he hopes it leads to some permanent employment next year. We spoke on the phone recently, and he told me about an assignment that, in some ways, was over his head and very challenging. He didn’t know if he would even be able to grasp a lot of it conceptually before the summer was over.
I tried my best to encourage him, to be up to the task and used my best Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh quote: “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” I also reminded him that he and God were an unbeatable combination – because God can’t be defeated.
After we hung up I went into “dad-prayer mode.” “OK God, I can’t help him. I can’t do it for him. I can’t even work it out so he gets a second chance. You have to be God here. Prove to him You are by his side. Show him how mighty You are. Pour into him and give him the ability he didn’t even know he had. Take away any defeatist attitude. Give him confidence. Open his eyes to the solution.”
We talked on the phone a week later. There was an excitement and a buzz in his voice. Not only had he realized the solution and completed the assignment in less than a week, he had also devised a way for everyone to get access to the data at the computer on their desk. The division chief was so pleased he gave him full access to all the systems the full-time employees have.
My wife and I were so proud of him and just talked and giggled about his success. I am ashamed to say that it didn’t hit me until I was driving to work the next morning that God had answered my prayer and done MORE than I had asked of Him. I thanked Him and praised Him on my way to work this morning. So just like the 1 Chronicles’ song of thanksgiving, I am making known His deeds among the people…. I am singing the song of praise. God is a good, good God! He answers prayer. He deserves and gets all the glory.
It is worth repeating…..Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His holy name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done.