"Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night." Job 35:10
I had graduated from college, was newly married to Kathy, and we headed for the first of three years of this new life to Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We had both become adults in Southern California and it was our world of friends, family and significant events. We found out rather quickly that we were living among nice people, but something was missing. Our family and close friends were all in So Cal. Though all was new and exciting, we missed the close relationships that we had left behind. We became homesick for the place we had loved and grown up in.
My third (senior) year I became pastor of a country church about 45 miles south of Sioux Falls. Each Sunday we would leave early from our apartment and drive an hour south. I taught an adult SS class, then gave the morning sermon. After lunch with a church family we would go to the parsonage for study and a nap. We would return for the evening service and then drive back home where we picked up a radio station that had a program called Songs in the Night. We would enthusiastically sing along....the miles went by quickly. But in the midst of homesick feelings, we found that singing along with these Christian hymns was a God given medicine that brought healing to our inner spirits. We arrived home encouraged and strengthened for another week of responsibility. . Here is just one example of those hymns:
*Who can cheer the heart like Jesus ? By his presence all divine.
True and tender, pure and precious, O, how blest to call Him mine.
*Love of Christ so freely given, Grace of God beyond degree.
Mercy higher than the heavens, deeper than the deepest sea.
All that thrills my soul is Jesus. He is more than life to me.
And the fairest of ten thousand, In my Lord I see.
I hope you are singing faith songs in the nighttime of your life. As the saying goes, Singing seems to help a troubled soul." Amen
