“That I may raise my voice in thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 26:7) Here in Psalm 26 David approaches the altar and he tells of two things he aims to do — 1) to give thanks to God and 2) to tell of God’s wondrous works. Our song encourages us to do as David did. Please give it a sing-along listen and come right back for a chat on living like a king.

Not me

Years ago I was given a helpful teaching tip — tell them “what it is not“. It often works great to do this before telling them “what it is“.

When it comes to thanking God and telling of His wondrous works, we do not need to have theological degrees. If we want to share the story of God’s love with others, to do what is also called “witnessing”, lots of experience and brains might possibly help — but then again, they might not. In any case, they are not necessary. Don’t be intimidated! You are the expert on what the Lord has done for you. Tell others!

Next, remember a witness is not a defense attorney. We can tell others what the Lord has done for us without needing to defend what we are saying.

One other thing I’ll offer here — keep in mind, no one made you and me “doctrine police”. If someone else knows better than you, let it be. The door to learning is locked from the inside for them, just like it is for you and me. As far as possible, live peaceably with all.

Now you’re talking

Years ago I was given another useful tip that can open doors to witnessing — “be everybody’s pal”. It is remarkable how easy it can be to engage almost anyone in conversation. Sure, there are common sense rules. Be appropriate to the scene. If you are in a library, SHHHH! But if you are in a grocery line or in a tire shop waiting room or any of about a million other situations like that, it is usually easy to make people around you feel like you are happy they are there. A smile and sincere “hello” can lead to a conversation.

Being a “pal” seems more natural when we show interest in their story. We might get a conversation going with a quick sentence or two on why we are there, but remember we’ll probably be more use to a person by getting him to talk about about himself than by requiring him to listen to us. It is amazing how often the people who win the “most brilliant conversationalist” award are usually the ones who manage to hold their peace while the other person does most of the talking. Funny how that works. Do this right, and you’ll usually get your chance to share. Remember “it is more blessed to give than receive” and “paying attention” is a form of giving. It might result in a blessing in a situation like this.

“♫♪ Keep Telling It ♫♪”

What a rich, wise song! By the time we’ve sung the first verse, we’ve been given a conditional “if — then” that serves us singers with a variety of things, including a checkup, a happy expectation, a tribute to Jesus and an exhortation.

Is there abundance of joy in my heart? Made bright by the light from above? Did Jesus say my sorrows can now depart? If no, maybe I need to check on some things and get a tune up. If yes, it seems I’ve been given all I need to have a story of love to can tell. Only one verse into this song and we already get a confrontation — or affirmation — or, at least, a reminder that life is good in the Lord. And it is not good for everyone except you or me. Let us allow this song to increase our resolve not to miss out on blessings the Lord has promised and provided. You and I can get in on the same blessings as all the others the Lord has saved.

Now — if the first verse got us on our toes, the second verse puts us on the dance floor. “If you would win others … for Jesus … today.” There’s another “if — then”. Do we want to win others … for us? No, for Jesus … someday? No, today. This song seems to be setting expectations. But wait — the next line of the second verse does not call for action. No, instead it tells of rewards.

Some people will say we should not be motivated by rewards the Lord promises. But the rewards are the Lord’s idea. Who wants to argue with Him? Enjoy with thanksgiving.

The second verse ups the ante by adding the word “joyfully” to the telling, “all” to the target audience, and “wonderful” to the story of love. Why the upgrade? Did we just get some more of the “light from above” that we sang about in the first verse?!?

Singing this song is a bit like running a brush through our hair. It is as if the song is working to make the beauty of the Lord in each of us show more and light up the room we are in brighter as a result.

Verse three reminds us of reasons we have to glow, and truths that make the “story of love” the Lord gave us not just “wondrous” but, now, in this verse, powerful.

The more we tell the story of God’s love, the more it lights us — and others — up. What wonderful reasons we’ve seen in these few lyrics to keep telling it!

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS – Keep Telling It
Song by William Edie Marks (1921)

1. If there is abun­dance of joy in your heart,
Made bright by the light from ab­ove,
If Je­sus has bid­den your sor­rows de­part,
Keep tell­ing the sto­ry of love.

CHORUS:
Keep tell­ing, keep tell­ing,
Of Je­sus and Heav­en ab­ove;
Keep tell­ing to oth­ers you meet on the way,
The won­der­ful story of love.

2. If you would win oth­ers for Je­sus to­day,
Bright stars for your crown up above,
Keep joy­ful­ly tell­ing to all on the way,
The beau­ti­ful sto­ry of love.

3. Keep tell­ing of Je­sus, His cross and His grave,
Of the Kingdom He rules from above.
Keep tell­ing He’s ris­en and able to save;
Tell the pow­er­ful sto­ry of love.

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