Songs in the Night for Feb. 14 2025

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17

Are we willing to bear the hatred, the scorn, the contumely, which loyalty to the truth brings? Is our Father's loving favor more, far more, to us than the favor and smiles of the whole world – even more, far more, than life itself? If so, we can go forth in his name, rejoicing as we go, praising him with our lips, singing the new song which he hath put into our mouths, "even the loving-kindness of our God." It costs something to sing this song. (Hymn 17)

Hymn 17
Moses And The Lamb

Awake! and sing the song
Of Moses and the Lamb;
Wake ev'ry heart and ev'ry tongue,
To praise the Saviour's name.

Come, pilgrims on the road
To Zion's city, sing:
Rejoice we in the Lamb of God –
In Christ, the eternal King.

Soon shall each raptured tongue
His endless praise proclaim;
In sweeter voices tune the song
Of Moses and the Lamb.

"But you shall remember Jehovah your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day." Deuteronomy 8:18

Hymn 179
Endless Song

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth's lamentation,
I catch the sweet, not far off hymn,
That hails a New Creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul –
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comfort die!
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heav'n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his –
How can I keep from singing?

"Be glad in Jehovah, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!" Psalm 32:11

Hymn 248
Millennial Glory

Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! the wilderness shall bloom;
And Zion's children soon shall sing;
The deserts all are blossoming.
Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! the wilderness shall bloom.
The gospel banner, wide unfurled,
Shall wave in triumph o'er the world,
And ev'ry creature, bond or free,
Shall hail the glorious jubilee.
Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! the wilderness shall bloom.

Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! Jerusalem shall sing.
From Zion shall the law go forth,
And all shall hear from south to north.
Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! Jerusalem shall sing;
And truth shall sit on ev'ry hill,
And blessings flow in ev'ry rill,
And praise shall ev'ry heart employ,
And ev'ry voice shall shout for joy.
Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! Jerusalem shall sing.

Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! the "Prince of peace" shall reign.
And lambs may with the leopard play,
For naught shall harm in Zion's way:
Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! the "Prince of peace" shall reign.
The sword and spear, of needless worth,
Shall prune the tree and plow the earth;
For peace shall smile from shore to shore,
And nations shall learn war no more.
Rejoice! Rejoice! the promised time is coming;
Rejoice! rejoice! the "Prince of peace" shall reign.

Some thoughts on Mark 3.

Mark 3 shows me how Jesus refused to be controlled by the expectations of others—whether religious leaders or crowds. He stayed focused on His mission, and that challenges me to ask if I'm more concerned with what people think, or am I really following God’s will?

Right at the start, there’s a showdown in the synagogue. The Pharisees are watching, hoping to trap Jesus if He heals a man on the Sabbath. Instead of avoiding conflict, Jesus steps right into it. He asks a simple but cutting question. Is the Sabbath a day to do good or to do harm? They refuse to answer because they care more about their rules than about the suffering man. And that makes Jesus angry. That’s a side of Him we don’t always think about—righteous anger at hard-heartedness. Then, without hesitation, He heals the man. That should have made people rejoice, but instead, the Pharisees start plotting how to kill Him. Imagine that—witnessing a miracle and responding with murder. It just goes to show how blind self-righteousness can be.

Then there’s the overwhelming response from the crowds. People are coming from everywhere because they’ve heard about His miracles. They’re desperate just to touch Him. And even demons recognize who He is, calling Him the Son of God. But He silences them because He’s not looking for their testimony—His mission isn’t about spectacle, but salvation.

Jesus also chooses His twelve apostles here. These are the men who will carry His message forward, and they’re not exactly the religious elite. Fishermen, a tax collector, even Judas, who would later betray Him. But He chooses them anyway, just like He chooses imperfect people today.

Then things take a turn. Some within His own family think He’s lost His mind. The religious leaders accuse Him of being in league with Satan. That’s when Jesus makes one of His most serious statements—blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin. The scribes had seen the power of God firsthand and still called it evil. That’s a dangerous place to be—so hardened that you reject God even when He’s right in front of you.

Then His family shows up, but instead of dropping everything for them, Jesus redefines what family really is. It’s not always about blood—it’s about doing the will of the Father. That hits me hard. I can’t rely on my background, my upbringing, or my associations. What matters is whether I’m actually living as a disciple of Christ and walking in the truth.

Following Jesus means standing firm, even when people misunderstand, oppose, or even hate me for it. It’s not about fitting into religious systems or family expectations, it’s about doing the will of God, no matter what.

Bible Companion for February 7

Exodus 15; Psalms 69; Mark 3

Some thoughts on Mark 2.

When I read Mark 2, I see Jesus cutting through the noise of religious legalism and self-righteousness to get to the heart of what truly matters—faith, forgiveness, and the purpose of God’s law.

The moment with the paralytic is powerful. His friends are so determined to get him to Jesus that they literally tear open the roof. That kind of faith—bold, relentless, unwilling to be stopped by obstacles—is what Jesus recognizes. And instead of just healing the man’s body first, He does something deeper: He forgives his sins. That immediately sets off the scribes, who accuse Him of blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. But Jesus proves His authority by healing the man physically too. It’s as if He’s saying, “You doubt my authority? Watch this.” And just like that, the man gets up and walks. The whole crowd is left in awe.

Then there’s Levi, a tax collector—basically a traitor in the eyes of the Jews—whom Jesus calls to follow Him. And Levi doesn’t hesitate. That’s a theme in this chapter: faith means action. The self-righteous Pharisees, however, can’t understand why Jesus associates with “sinners.” But Jesus flips their thinking—He’s not here for those who think they’re already righteous; He’s here for those who know they need help.

The chapter also deals with legalism. Jesus’ disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees are outraged. But Jesus reminds them that the Sabbath was made to benefit people, not to burden them with rules. He declares that He is Lord of the Sabbath, meaning He has authority over its purpose. That’s a strong statement. He’s not just a teacher; He’s the one who defines the meaning of the law itself.

Throughout this chapter, Jesus keeps challenging the status quo. The Pharisees cling to traditions, missing the spirit of the law. But Jesus brings something new—something alive, something that doesn’t fit in their rigid old ways. That’s why He uses the analogy of new wine in old wineskins. His message can’t be contained within their outdated system.

To me, Mark 2 is a call to real faith—faith that takes action, faith that recognizes its need for Jesus, and faith that isn’t shackled by empty traditions. It’s about letting Christ reshape the way I think and live, rather than trying to fit Him into my own preconceived ideas.

Bible Companion for February 6

Exodus 13-14; Psalms 68; Mark 2