Happy Monday. “God is to be praised with the voice, and the heart should go therewith in holy exaltation.” –Charles Spurgeon
I have always been captured by the story of Paul and Silas and their response to being in prison, in stocks, and suffering from a beating.
“At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God…” Acts 16:25
Now the “rest of the story.” They were set free, won the jailer and his family to Christ, and there was rejoicing.
How could they sing? Did they feel like it? We can only guess.
A fixed heart will sing. Psalms 57:7. They were committed to a right attitude.
Psalms 13:6 says grateful hearts will sing, but what were they grateful for? Was it just their choice to praise?
David’s words might have come to mind that singing and praising pleases God even more than sacrifices (Psalms 69:30, 31). Even in pain they wanted to please God.
As we think of the powerful conversion of Paul, and what a changed man he became, God must have put a “new song in his mouth” and as Psalms 40:3 says, many could see his song and trust in the Lord. Thus, the jailer’s conversion.
Though it was a midnight time, they had read in the scroll, “God gives songs in the night.” Psalms 77:6
David had also said in Psalms 59:16 that he sang because of God’s power and defense!
Of course, I am only speculating but I do think there are lessons for us here.
God wants us to sing, from a heart fixed on Him!
I hear you—“Who me? I can’t sing.”
Henry Van Dyke once said, “What if only the best birds joined in singing? Wouldn’t the woods be silent?”
The sad story in Psalms 137 tells of the Jews in captivity, who hung their harps on a willow tree and refused to sing among their captors.
They lost their song and were dying a slow death because of discouragement and self-pity.
The question should come to each one of us, “How’s my song?”
The second verse of a song my daughter Becky wrote some years ago says,
“The song of my life has ceased to rhyme
The chords are all out of key!
All gone are the songs of the springtime,
But the Master still has use for me!”
The chorus goes on victoriously:
“He won’t discard the pieces
He holds them in His hand
And with His tender mercy
He’ll love and understand.
No matter how I’m broken,
I’ll still be called His child.
He won’t discard the pieces,
He’ll use me after awhile.”
“Come before His presence with singing.”
Monday with Beverly 
Thank you for these encouraging & uplifting thoughts!
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Thank you Mrs. Hyles for your faithful life which is a constant “song of praise.” May the Lord be glorified through you ans each of us who love the Lord. Just a reminder….Br. Hyles life and legacy not wasted on us.
We love you…Mollie
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Thanks for the edification, Mrs. Hyles!
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Great reminder! Love you and praying for you! – Helen
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Once again, the Lord’s timing is perfect….and He continues to choose you for His vessel of praise and promise! I so look forward to each Monday morning to hear what the Lord has laid on your heart for us. Thank you so much for your continued faithfulness and beauty through words AND song!
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Thank you for reminding how important it is to have your song, life sometimes get so hard and when I sing it really helps me knowing as Bro. Hyles would lead us in chapel EVERYTHINGS ALRIGHT IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE. I love singing even during the storms. love you so much. I look forward to Mondays with you.
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I remember Br. Hyles talking about those Israelites who hung their harps and wouldn’t sing. He admonished us that’s when we NEED to sing. So often one of his sermons or truths will come to me as I read scripture. I am thankful for all the years he was my pastor. And so thankful for your being a faithful wife and wonderful example. I love this blog very much!!
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Thanks again, Mrs. Hyles, for positive words to start off a Monday morning! I kept thinking the phrase “God wants to hear you sing” as I was reading this. I also love Psa. 40:3 where people can SEE our song 🙂
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I know your daughter has health issues & yet she can write & sing a song like that!! We all can find reasons to sing no matter our circumstances! Thank you for your Monday with Beverly!! I always look forward to reading it!
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Thank you for this! Love the reminder to have a song!
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Beautiful. It is our Lord who puts the song in our hearts and on our lips. Our God reigns and in Him we live victoriously in the worst of times and in the best of times. Thank you. You are such an encouragiement to all of us.
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I would love to know all of the words to your daughter Becky’s song. Is it available somewhere?
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What a needed reminder! Thank you for living a life of song that we have been able to see and hear!
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Thank You Mrs Hyles, I sure will make a “Joyful Noise Unto The Lord: today” Thanks
🙂
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What a balm to the soul!
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Thank you Mrs. Hyles. I think I’ll make some “joyful noise unto the Lord” today.
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Thank you for sharing this. It is good to be reminded to sing and be joyful always, not just when we think things are good. I am also glad that God loves to hear me sing, even though I am not good at it. I love to sing.
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Forever grateful for the godly influence you’ve been in my life over the years. I love you dearly!!
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I love you, Mrs. Hyles, and I always loved to hear you sing at First Baptist Church of Hammond. Loved your duets with Mr. Wolber too! I grew up in a singing Pastor’s home and can say amen to what you posted for today!! When there is joy deep within, one can sing in the darkest night. Thank you for sharing and reminding us to sing. Have a wonderful Monday!
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Mrs. Hyles: Thank you!!!
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Love the comments, they are inspirational and helpful.
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Excellent thought… Thanks for sharing
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Thankful for this Monday reminder to SING! All of our praise is to the Lord and we DO have much for which to praise Him! Thank you for sharpening our thoughts this Monday…so that we may SING all week long!!! 🙂 Happy week to you!
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Beautiful thoughts.
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