But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I
will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6
The Psalmist expresses his praise in the context of asking God for
deliverance from his enemies. His trust results in rejoicing which then results
in singing God’s praises.
A simple peasant girl from the countryside in China has used her musical
creativity to encourage the house church movement all across China and touch the
lives of millions of believers.
Xiao Min was born in a village in Henan Province in central China and has
experienced much persecution. Though only receiving a junior high level
education, she has been able to compose over 1,270 different hymns—both music
and lyrics—that are sung by the Chinese churches in China and now throughout the
world. They are known as the Canaan Hymns. Amazing creativity for a young lady
with no musical training!
Xiao Min shares that twenty years ago many believers were arrested by the
Chinese government. At that time, she prayed to the Lord asking if she could
also be arrested and suffer together with these fellow believers. Soon after,
she was indeed arrested and sent to prison. She says that she wasn’t scared at
all.
One summer day in prison when it was extremely hot she requested the guard to
let everyone wash their hair. But she received a rude response telling her to
ask the Lord Jesus to wash their hair for them. She used this discouraging
response as an inspiration to write hymn number 56, “Lord, We Know Deeply” in
the Canaan Hymns series.
In this hymn, Xiao Min sings:
Lord we know deeply that in every moment Your love never, never
diminishes.
Lord we know deeply that in every moment, our only friend is You.
Our hearts long for You, our hearts long for You,
Because You’re the first in millions, no one can be compared with You,
No one can be compared with you.”
Not only was Xiao Min arrested because of her faith, she was also persecuted
by her family members. But she still testified to them that God healed her
sinusitis and that He is her Savior. She concludes, “Even though we experience
suffering, the Lord Jesus gives us strength.” Her strength enables her to sing
to the Lord in the face of all difficulties.
RESPONSE: Today I will sing praises to the Lord no matter how difficult
the journey.
PRAYER: I ask, Lord, for the grace to be able to vocalize my trust and joy
and praise of You!
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