Dear Faith Family, 

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!  His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.  The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.  He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God, (Psalm 98:1-3). 

Staring at me from my desktop calendar is a bag of goodness: Reese’s, York, Kit Kat, and Butterfinger.  No, I didn’t go trick or treating!  And no, I didn’t steal candy from the trunk or treat supply!  Yes, a sweet lady shared her stash with me.  I am a blessed man with a dilemma.  Which treat do I enjoy first? 

The psalmist calls us to sing. Our motivation?  A bag of goodness far exceeding the bag currently resting on my desk.  So, what’s in the bag?  Well, for starters the psalmist reminds us of the salvation of our Lord!  Throughout the Old Testament the Lord was constantly saving His people.  You remember Goliath, right?  And what about Gideon and those pesky Midianites?  The exodus out of Egypt?  Now that was a repeated reference point.  In other words, it was a big deal! 

And each time that God saved His people it was a picture of what was coming in Jesus.  We, in Christ, are saved.  Saved from being separated from Him.  Saved from the wages of our sin.  Saved for eternity.  Saved from hopelessness.  Saved from a life without purpose.  Now that’s something to sing about. 

His salvation is enough.  But what if He didn’t let us know?  Like what if the Lord provided salvation but kept it a secret?  There was nothing secret about the salvation of our God!  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, (John 1:14).  He was lifted up where we could see His salvation.  The tomb was empty!  Visible proof.  And He showed Himself to many after His resurrection.  His Word, living and written, tells us of His salvation.  Now that’s something to sing about. 

Another treat?  He lets us know that His salvation is founded on Him.  On His memory.  On His character.  On His steadfast love and faithfulness.  Think about a salvation founded on our behavior.  That’s not a pretty song, is it?  God’s salvation is based on His unchanging nature.  Now that’s something to sing about! 

Singing a new song, 
Pastor Karl