Do We Have A Song Of Deliverance To Sing?

As a history buff, I recently read about an incident that occurred during World War II, involving students and teachers of a school for missionary children in China who were imprisoned by occupying Japanese military forces. As they traveled toward their place of confinement, someone began singing the words of a familiar song.

Soon all the prisoners joined in: “God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own; though trials may press us and burdens distress us, He never will leave us alone.” It remained their theme song for nearly 3 years until they were released at the end of that terrible conflict.

Their experience reminds me of what David said regarding the Lord’s deliverance in Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”

When our circumstances seem overwhelming, do we have a song of deliverance that we can sing? It’s not unusual to have a favorite hymn that speaks of God’s faithful love and presence. At unexpected moments, the words and music come back to us as a reminder that Almighty God is still in charge (Daniel 4:17,25,32; Daniel 5:21), and that He will never forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; cf. Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5).

If there’s ever an experience in our life that has come like “a flood of great waters” (Psalm 32:6), let’s sing of the Lord’s faithfulness and allow Him to surround us with songs of deliverance.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets