Birds of the Kingdom

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. (Song of Solomon 2:12)

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

"Sing"

Read / Psalm 96

If you could sing 2,000 songs, I wonder, what would they be? Why would you sing them? Where would you sing them, or to whom would you sing them?

I’ll get a jump on you. Even though I’d like to think differently, I can’t sing! But for today, I know one who can––the brown thrasher. In fact, the bird has over 2,000 songs in his repertoire. Where does he get his musical score sheets? What great composer writes them? Ready? He mimics other birds.

As I walked along a trail in the woods, I heard the voice of this bird loudly reverberating throughout the woodland. He wasn’t easy to spot so I continued listening with my ears, as my eyes scanned about the trees. There he is!

Camouflaged in his surroundings as if to say, “No interruptions, please. My performance isn’t finished.”

Perhaps it was courting season and so he tried to outdo his competitors. Perhaps he was happy, or maybe he just wanted to sing. I’d like to think he was singing just for me so I would be reminded of what the writer of Ecclesiastes says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (3:11). Oh, my. That is enough to shout from the highest tree branch!

You know who likes to hear us sing with whatever vocal chords (and musical notes) we have been blessed with? We don’t even have to guess as David, a man after God’s own heart, tells us: “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:1-2).

My granddaughter loves to sing. She’s had good training and opportunities to do just that. Handing me her music score for her college choir class, she exclaimed, “Grandma, it is hard.”

I took one look at her music score and said, “Uh, yes, I guess it is. I can’t even read the words.”

“I know,” she exclaimed. “We have to learn this whole book of songs––in Latin!”

What language is God speaking to you today? Oh, I don’t mean English, French or Spanish. I am talking about what He has placed on your heart. He tells us, “Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise” (Psalm 95:1-2, ESV).

Do we sing the same song day after day, or are there new ones God has placed on our hearts? Life is not constant; it changes continually. Can you draw from your repertoire of compositions from God’s Word? Do you need comfort? Strength? Guidance? Maybe you just need a word from the Lord. Guess what? He is there waiting for you to come to Him. He doesn’t care if you sing one or two thousand songs, in tune or out of tune. Thankfully, He is not interested in how well you sing. Whatever your need is today, go to Him. You don’t have to look about a forest to find Him as I did with the thrasher. God’s prophet Isaiah writes: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon Him while He is near” (55:6).

My granddaughter didn’t know when she enrolled for her music class that she would not only be advancing her musical talents, but learning a new language as well. Perhaps today the Lord is asking you to sing in a new language to Him as the Holy Spirit leads. Go ahead. Just belt it out. He will give you the key to sing your song in and He doesn’t care if you’re not in tune, for His language is love.

Every day we can find a new song to sing. Why? Because each day brings its own challenges, opportunities, joys and yes, the heartaches. In our country many people are not singing joyful songs because quite frankly, there are days when joy just won’t come. Sing your joys and thanks to Him and before you know it, I just know you too will have over 2,000 songs to sing and more. You don’t have to mimic anyone. He loves to hear you sing and He won’t turn you away. The Great Composer has given us a Book to follow. What a great score. God’s Word––the Holy Bible. Go ahead. Start today. I started with a hymn penned way back in 1905, His Eye is on the Sparrow. Okay, so I know we’re featuring the brown thrasher bird today, but, remember, God hears our heart: “So I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”

Sing on. Welcome the Lord to your concert. Don’t let the brown thrasher beat you. Just maybe you can reach 2,001 songs. Can we ever sing enough to God?

Prayer: “With our hands lifted high and our voices singing from our hearts, accept our praise and worship dear Lord. May Your sweet Spirit fill our hearts and lift our voices to You. Amen.”