This delightful, upbeat song is a good one to feed a bright outlook. It puts a voice of thanksgiving in us both for the promise of a marvelous future and reasons to cherish the time between now and then. Give it a sing-along listen, then let’s talk about going the distance in this life with joy, strength and confidence.

It’s enough to make a person sing

“♫♪ I have a song that Jesus gave me … ♫♪“

So starts our song. If Jesus gave it, it must be good. The next line says “It was sent from heaven above”. Well, that makes sense. Recall James 1:17 (NKJV): Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

“♫♪…Tis a melody of love ♫♪“

We can add “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 NKJV) and “Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
(1 John 4:7,8)

God so loved … He gave His only begotten son … who washed my sins away and “♫♪ put within my heart a melody, and I know it’s there to stay. ‘Twill be my endless theme in glory. ♫♪“

The song is about good stuff, bright thoughts, happy times and sweet harmony.

Let’s sing it!

Heaven’s harmony … and sour notes

Though this brief song does not mention afflictions, for those who knew and believed the truth it tells, acting on that truth has been enough for many righteous folks through the years to endure hard times and circumstances with remarkable joy. And we add to our joy the more we know about heaven’s harmony — about God’s ways of doing things.

There is another song we could talk about that does mention afflictions– Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous …”

You might be thinking, “OH NO! I don’t want to talk about afflictions. I want to stay happy!”

Not to worry!

The entire verse reads: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. What an amazing verse!

What are the melodies within our hearts? Are they all light and bright? Not in this world. It says, “many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Affliction is not just about health. It can include lacking food, water, power, strength — basic needs for survival, and while in that state of lack, needing to fight a more powerful oppressor.

Consider this idea: “The people who survive the worst days of their lives are usually the ones who spent years preparing for them.” Even this cheerful tune brings us the words “I love the Christ who died on Calvary…” Days don’t get much worse that those. How did Jesus Christ endure those worst days?

Did he prepare? Of course he did. He was not taken by surprise. Nor was he without help. His Father did not afflict him — it was the enemy who did — but his Father was there to deliver time after time, affliction after affliction. In “heaven’s harmony” the cross was not avoidable, but for every obstacle from Bethlehem through Calvary and always, the Father saw to it that His Son was delivered. Though it was probably the worst, Calvary was not Jesus Christ’s first “rodeo”. He had been through enough, and knew what His Father was faithful to do. He was afflicted, but his Father delivered him out of them all. Hallelujah!

The Lord’s presence and promise is the same for us as we walk through this sin-weary world, which sees to supplying the affliction. The Lord is still not surprised by any of it — and is ever present and still delivers. Sometimes it is instant. Sometimes it will take awhile. We can’t avoid all affliction in this world. But know we have a Helper! The deliverer is here.

Then am I strong …

But He (the Lord) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)

I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

These verses come from different contexts, but I think they shed light on each other. Paul was not some bravado macho tough guy, though he was tough. He had learned through much experience what he had read in scripture: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

This is the life for us! We are saved, delivered in every affliction and loved. We’ve been given purpose and promise. When I think on these things, of course I find in my heart there rings a melody!

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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LYRICS – In My Heart There Rings a Melody
Text & Tune: Elton Menno Roth (1923)

1. I have a song that Jesus gave me;
it was sent from heav’n above.
There never was a sweeter melody;
’tis a melody of love.

Chorus:
In my heart there rings a melody;
there rings a melody with heaven’s harmony.
In my heart there rings a melody;
there rings a melody of love

2. I love the Christ who died on Calv’ry,
for He washed my sins away.
He put within my heart a melody,
and I know it’s there to stay.

3. ‘Twill be my endless theme in glory;
with the angels I will sing.
‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony
when the courts of heaven ring.

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