The Nightingale's Song

It's almost 10:30 pm and I'm tired. But I can't sleep.

Each night for the last couple of weeks, we've had a neighborhood bird sing at the top of his lungs. For hours on end.

Once I'm asleep I don't hear him. But getting to sleep can sometimes be a little difficult. This nightingale sings with such exuberance and volume that he can't help but be heard.

I could sit here and be irritated by the noise. But, I'm not. I'm actually strangely convicted by it. This bird reminds me of the passage we studied in church last weekend - Psalm 100.

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

My neighborhood nightingale knows something he wants everyone to know. Whatever it is, he can't help but sing about it at the top of his lungs. And he can't stop singing about it.

His singing convicts me because I've got an awesome God that everyone should know so I, too, should be shouting for joy. I should come before God with a joyful song and a glad heart.

Now I realize, this nightingale may just be fending off potential prey. But, a song of praise can also fend off the potential prey in my life, too. Prey like despair and discouragement.

When I stop for even a moment to give God praise and thanks, I'm taking my mind off my earthly situation and setting my mind on heavenly things. Things like, God made me, I am His, He is good, His love endures forever. And the more I set my mind on these things, the more I want to sing and make a racket that others can hear.

When is the last time that you stopped to think that "the Lord, He is God?" Take a moment to think about Him now. I'll bet you won't be able to stop singing either.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being the Creator. I'm so glad that I can learn more about You by just watching Your creation. Thank You for this nightingale. Please remind me to be exuberant in my praise and to keep a song in my heart because of Your goodness to me.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen