In the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul establishes essential indicatives (gospel-based statements of truth defining a believer’s new identity, status, and reality in Christ) for those who are true believers and followers of Christ. One of these indicatives for the Christian is that we now have Christ in us, through His Spirit, and He strengthens us so that we may overcome the world and know all the riches of His glory and the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:14-21). He echoes this truth also in Colossians 1:27 when he says, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This is an amazing encouragement to the Christian, especially in the midst of trials or suffering. We have a hope that is Christ in us and a strength that is not our own, but one we can place our trust in to strengthen us even when facing great adversity. One way we are reminded of this strength and help us to exercise it is through songs of praise to the Lord, for through praise and worship we elevate these truths outwardly to Him and remind ourselves that it is not us, but Christ in us that is the source.
Singing songs of praise, especially during suffering, is not an option for a Christian. Joni Erickson Tada writes in her article ‘My Suffering Savior Taught Me to Sing‘, “It [Singing songs of suffering] is not a mere invitation. When Christians in Colossae were struggling to survive under the reign of the madman Nero, Paul ordered them, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). When the Ephesians were being persecuted and threatened with torture, Paul commanded them to encourage “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph. 5:19). Paul himself takes his own advice when—bloodied, bruised, and shackled in jail—he boisterously sings a hymn at midnight, proving that spiritual songs can provide powerful ammunition for embattled Christians! (Acts 16:25).”
I encourage you Christian, to sing and praise and trust in Christ today, for these praises remove the idea that overcoming trials, suffering and persecution is under our own power, and it helps us to transcend these circumstances and place our hope and strength in the source. For it is Christ in us by which we find our strength, and purpose, and life! Whether it is an unfavorable diagnoses, a fractured relationships because of your faith or the unexpected loss of a loved one or friend, we are not alone and it is not in our own strength that we face these challenges. Jesus said we would have a Helper, the Holy Spirirt (John 14:16-18; 26-27), and He would teach us and strengthen us. He goes on to give us an amazing promise. He said that along with His Spirit we will also recieve His peace. A peace the world does not know. A peace that transcends normal logic. A peace we can grab hold of and live in because it is not from us but from Him. This is the peace that allowed Jesus, in the midst of a treacherous storm, to lay sleeping in the bow of the ship while experienced Sailors panicked for fear that they would perish in the midst of this storm (Matthew 8:23-27). He follows this promise of peace with this encouragement, “do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Dear Christian, can we trust alone in that today? Let us sing with the psalmist,
“When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul”
The hymn, “Yet Not I, but Through Christ in Me”, is another wonderful hymn to memorize and sing out for this very purpose. Let us sing it out together, trusting in the only One in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
I pray that this article blesses you today and encourages you to trust in Christ. Find your strength in Him and allow Him to be your everything so you can sing with the psalmist,
“To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus;
All the glory evermore to Him.
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but Through Christ in me.”
Download the hymn and audio file below:
Download a modern version for the hymn here:
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