Ancient Words
“Ancient words ever true, changing me, and changing you…”
Wednesday night, July 14, 2021. Choir had resumed practice one week earlier. Fifteen long months of closure due to pandemic restrictions were hard on all of us. We were thrilled just to be together.
Singing praises to the LORD and about the LORD was a gift. One song imprinted itself on my heart. Ancient Words by Michael W. Smith.
The lyrics ran through my mind as I drove home. Words that speak deeply to us should never be ignored. And melody is God’s gift to us, allowing powerful words to press into our whole being.
“Holy words, long preserved, for our walk in this world...”
The words and melody ran through my mind throughout the night.
Jesus Christ, The Living Word Of God
Thursday morning, I read David Jeremiah’s devotion for July 15 in Strength For Today. Referring to Revelation 19, he described Christ as He will be when He returns as the conquering King.
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:13
Ancient word, holy words, The Word.
God’s Gives His Word For Direction
Before moving on with my day, I quickly checked Facebook for any news. Instead I found a story from a friend, a story God knew I needed to hear that very moment.
Elisheva Damkani, a wonderful sister in the Lord, lives in Israel with her husband Jacob. I asked and received permission from Elisheva to share her Facebook post on my blog. Below is her story written on July 15, 2021.
“Last night, as I was driving home from a wonderful visit with ladies from our congregation, I missed a turn. The voice that guides me in “Waze” wasn’t even challenged it seems like. She just gave me another way to get home in a second. This got me thinking. If I am constantly connected to, fed by and willing to follow the Word of God that was given to me for direction, a wrong turn – bad decision, sin, anything – will not get me off the path to my destination. (Better yet, not to take a wrong turn!) I might just have to do some more walking…
Thank you, Lord, for giving me Your Word for direction!
Listen, my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalm 78:1
The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. Psalm 119:57
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:67
Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any wrongdoing have power over me. Psalm 119:133
Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. Psalm 119:140
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. Psalm 119:147″
Do We Know The Ancient Words? Do We Know The Living Word?
I’m no longer stunned when God puts a truth in my face multiple times in a short span of time. My Father knows my need of repetition. For the next few days my mind and heart mulled over what I had read and heard.
God’s written word is given to us for a guide. How well do I know it? Jesus is the Living Word of God. He is our perfect guide. How well do I follow Him? Have I been willing to spend time hiding God’s word in my heart? Do I listen to the Spirit of Christ who longs to have us hear Him as He directs us through this life?
Scripture memorized in the past when I was young comes to mind daily, encouraging and challenging me to praise the LORD and walk as I should. But how much time do I now spend hiding more of His words in my heart?
God’s Written Words And His Living Word Are Our Guide
Psalm 119:11 says, “I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You.” God loves us enough to give us His word, knowing it will keep us from wrong turns. Will I treasure His word in my heart and let Him be my guide?
As Elisheva said, God’s word is given to us for direction. May we be willing to fill our hearts and minds with God’s amazing treasure so we will hear His still small voice speak. His words may seem ancient. In reality, they are ever present. Jesus is the wisdom of the ages. His is the voice we need to hear and heed, now and always.
My prayer for you and me is that we will do as Elisheva said, stay “constantly connected to, fed by and willing to follow the Word of God!”
“Ancient words, ever true, changing me and changing you…“
“Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.”
Ancient Words by Michael W. Smith
(Scripture verses: Taken from the New American Standard Bible.) (Photos: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, Tribble Mill Park, Lawrenceville, GA, and Grayson, GA, 2021)
18 Comments
Linda Beckner
Beautifully written and exactly what I need today. Thank you.
cthigpen377
I’m glad these words could be a blessing to you, Linda. Thank God His words to us and for us are always a blessing!
Barbara Latta
Carolyn, thanks for sharing your friend’s story. His word is a light to our path and directs us which way to go. It is up to us to follow that way.
cthigpen377
Barbara, thank you for reading my post and for your note. God’s word is His Spirit speaking to us. I am so glad He doesn’t ignore us, but has spoken His word for our good. May we choose to follow and obey!
Nancy E. Head
What a great story and application! I’d not heard the song before. Listening now. Wonderful!
cthigpen377
So glad you were blessed by the story and the song, Nancy. God is so good!
Barb Fox
Loved the Waze reference! I’m going to remember that! Thanks, too, for doing what you are writing about by including God’s Words in this blog. I am blessed and encouraged by your motivating words to listen to God’s Word, trust it, and let it guide my life.
cthigpen377
I’m glad you were blessed and encouraged, Barb. I never heard of Waze until my trip to Israel three years ago. When my friend from there wrote her story, I could just hear the voice directing her. I’m so glad our God is willing to do that for us through His word!
Debbie Wilson
Your friends words provide a great visual of how God’s word leads and protects us. I can trust Him to get me back on track if I make a wrong turn.
cthigpen377
Amen, Debbie! “Faithful is He who calls us who also will do it!”
Katherine Pasour
Thank you for sharing the post from your friend. So inspiring. But these words of yours stood out for me, “May we be willing to fill our hearts and minds with God’s amazing treasure so we will hear His still small voice speak.” I pray that will be true for us.
cthigpen377
Thanks, Katherine. Hearing His voice is the joy of our lives. May it be so!
Leigh DeLozier
The Words are ancient, but still so very true. I’ll think of this post the next time we sing Ancient Words in church. 🙂
cthigpen377
I’m glad you know the song, Leigh, and your church sings it. Thank God for His words to us!
Jennifer Knight
Beautiful. I love the GPS comparison and staying connected. Such a great reminder. Thank you.
cthigpen377
Thank you, Jennifer, and you’re welcome. Isn’t it wonderful when God reminds us of His truths?!
Tammy Kennington
Beautiful and inspiring, Carolyn. Thank you for lifing my spirits this afternoon!
Blessings,
Tammy
cthigpen377
Thank you, Tammy, and you are welcome. I’m glad sharing what God blessed me with could then bless you!