## Don't Lose Your Song

## Psalm 137:1-9

Singing can be done as an expression of sorrow. The 'Blues' and much of country music depend upon this concept. But when we find singing in the Scripture it is usually pointing to times of rejoicing. It is also connected with our worship toward God. The problem in our text was that the Lord's people had been carried away into captivity. As a result, they had lost their song. Many of God's people today have lost their song. They do not have the joy, the excitement, and the devotion toward God that they should have. Following David's repentance, he prayed and asked God to restore unto him the 'joy' of his salvation. It wasn't that he had lost his relationship with God, but due to sin in his life, he had lost the 'joy' that should accompany a right relationship. This morning, I would like to ask you, 'Have you lost your song?' If so, 'What took your song?' For David, it was his disobedience toward God. For Israel, it was their pride and rebellion.

I. Don't Let Persecution Take Away Your Song.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

A. The Lord reminds us that while we are in this world, we will have tribulation or trials.

1. This is not the exception, but rather it is the rule of life for a believer.

2. James reminded us that we were to count it joy when we found ourselves in the midst of all sorts of trials. (Jas. 1:2)

3. Peter explained that the trials come to perfect our faith. (1Pe. 1:7)

4. What's the point? Persecution and tribulation is part of God's plan for us as believers.

5. But…

B. Jesus said, "…Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

1. The old song says, 'This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' thru'

2. We face many difficulties and trials in this life, but we must remember…this world is only temporary!

3. If we are born again, we have the victory through Jesus Christ!

4. God has a place prepared for His children in eternity!

5. This life will be but a grain of sand compared to eternity!

C. When persecution comes our way, sing anyway!

II. Don't Let Pain Take Away Your Song.

A. Pain comes in many forms.

1. Physical pain and suffering will come to all of us in our flesh.

2. Aches, pains, weaknesses are a part of our human existence.

3. When we were young we thought we were invincible, but the more mileage these old bodies see…the more pain!

4. Pain can bring complaining, but no amount of complaining will relieve the pain.

5. Pain and sorrow is a reminder of the curse of sin.

Ge 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

6. Often the emotional pain and sorrow we experience can take away our song!

7. For most it is harder to deal with than physical pain.

8. But it is all part of God's plan for our lives.

B. God is the God of all comfort.

1. Pain and sorrow reminds that we need to be comforted, and that comfort comes from God.

2. God uses our pain to prepare us to minister to others.

2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

3. Our pain and sorrow makes us recognize our dependence on God.

4. When we hurt we long to be consoled by someone who understands.

5. God has given us the ministry of comfort to come alongside someone who is hurting and share the comfort of God with them.

C. When pain and sorrow comes our way, sing anyway!

III. Don't Let People Take Away Your Song.

John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

A. The longer I live the more I am convinced of the depravity of man!

1. Depravity = speaks of the fallen nature of mankind.

2. The Bible declares that all have sinned…there is none righteous, no not one!

3. I believe it! When you see what people do to each other…how can you not understand this biblical truth?

B. People hurt each other.

1. You cannot pick up a newspaper.

2. Or turn on the TV or radio news without hearing of some atrocity someone has committed against another.

3. Unfortunately, it isn't just the ungodly who hurt others.

C. Even Christian people hurt one another!

1. They will lie and gossip about others.

2. They will fail us, forsake us, abuse and disappoint us!

3. They will do what we would never have imagined that they would do…

Ps 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

4. God promises to be there for us when others forsake us!

5. The phrase 'take me up' literally means to gather unto Himself.

6. The picture I have is that of a loving Heavenly Father with outstretched arms who is there to draw us close.

7. Don't let people take away your song! Sing anyway!

- Don't Let Persecution Take Away Your Song.
- Don't Let Pain Take Away Your Song.
- Don't Let People Take Away Your Song.

Ps 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?

God says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…" He tells us to "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD…" How shall we sing? Loud and clear! Don't let anything or anyone take your song!

Perhaps you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is God who puts a song in our hearts, it is God who gives us a reason to sing! I am talking about the song of redemption. When you place your faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on Calvary, He will put a new song in our mouths.

Whatever your need today, will you come?