Sing Girl, Sing!!

by Sandy Ohlman

In Psalm 68:11 there is a call to action for women of God. I encourage you to read it in various versions of the Bible. For purposes of this article, I will use the Amplified Version: "The Lord has given the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host."

I love that verse; it is packed with so much great stuff! It speaks highly of and believes the best of us as women of God. The Word is passionately described as power packed and given. It’s a gift, and who among us doesn’t like gifts! Then the verse speaks of us (women) and states that when we receive the word, take hold of it and bear it, we are then just like our Father, we give it away. We publish it, we tell everyone the good news! Then the best part of all, “the great host”. This is not for the few, the highly educated, the rich, the famous, it’s for all of us. You and I are blessed with the gift and you and I are free to share it - Yeah! I love all this freedom, and it’s only found in the source stated at the beginning of the verse - “The Lord”. Thanks and praise to God for such a great call!

Yet in everyday life, how many times am I held back or distracted from this beautiful freedom and noble call? How many times am I preoccupied by personal discouragement, the cares of life or some other less than beautiful detail of life? As women we can be tempted to minister out of our personal circumstances or even worse, withhold ministry completely. You know what I’m going say: we can’t do that! We are leaders, we’ve given up the rights of what Paul calls “civilian life” and now we live as good soldiers (II Tim 2:4).

Is there something holding you back? Some disappointment, sorrow, loss, or fear keeping you from rising up and publishing the “good news”? In Isaiah 54 there are a series of verses speaking to Zion and using the parallel of a woman. We can find wise counsel in these passages to free us up for service. I have condensed these verses for the sake of space:

“Sing, O barren woman....burst into song, shout for joy.....Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, DO NOT HOLD BACK,....Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach... the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer..”

This passage is an excellent example to us of what God sees as possible. Though circumstances may be less than perfect (okay, even really terrible), God knows that when we put our eyes on Him instead of the circumstances we will rise up, shout for joy and SING!! At first we will do it by sheer force of will (self-control). But once we are pointed in His direction, the power of His presence will take over. Therefore I encourage you to look to God, stand up in His Word, take hold of and bear this good news. Let it minister to you, then, proclaim it in every area of your life so that people everywhere will know the goodness of our God. “Do not hold back”. Despite anything you have faced or are facing, shake it off, “O barren woman” stand up, shout for joy and Sing!

Sing girl, Sing!