Weekly Message
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING!
Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and said, "I will sing to the Lord, for He is Highly exalted."
(Exodus 15:1a)
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is appropriate to recognize James Weldon Johnson who is known for composing "The Negro National Anthem." Verse one states: "Lift Every Voice and sing till earth and heaven ring...ring with the harmonies of liberty...Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies...Let it resound loud as the rolling sea." Dr. Johnson was an educator, lawyer, diplomat, songwriter, writer, anthropologist, poet, and activist. He wrote "Lift Every Voice And Sing" with pride in, and love for Black people and our accomplishments. He understood that true freedom had not yet been achieved, but he praised God for the progress that had been made, as well as the bright future that God would truly provide for us. The next verse of the song states: "Sing a song, full of the faith that the dark past has taught us... Sing a song, full of the hope that the present has brought us...Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won."
In the passage above, God has delivered the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage in a miraculous way. In fact, he had just parted the Red Sea so that they could cross over. When the people say how God had delivered them, they both feared and believed in the great power of the Lord. It was then that Moses and the people sang to the Lord for His greatness and deliverance. They were not in the Promised Land yet, but they were on their way, and they were sure that God would take them every step of the way.
God is still delivering His people today. We have been given grace and mercy over and over again. God says in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He consistently shows up when we are in great need. He loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us. We truly have every reason to praise Him for His goodness toward us. James Weldon Johnson and Moses both had it right, we should all "LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING!"