Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Sometimes, driving down the accustomed road isn't possible.  Sometimes, we need to take a detour. I've decided to start reading the Word out loud every day.  Not sure why I haven't made a practice of this before.  What led me to this "detour" was when I recently looked up the original Hebrew word for meditate from Joshua 1:8.  I was stunned to learn that the original word for meditate actually means to growl, moan, utter, even howl!   Crazy right?! I mean when I envision meditating on God's Word, it is usually in thought, in quiet.  But that usually gets interrupted by other thoughts!   But if I read Scripture out loud - take a detour, an unexpected route from how I usually meditate - I just may end up getting where I want to go after all.  Where I want to "go" is into God's Presence.  I also want His blessings, the success that He promises to His chosen in Joshua 1:8 if they do not let His words depart from their lips. It is not a "name it

We've all heard of the metaphorical "giants" in our lives - we are to name them, overcome them - such as fear, worry, doubt, anxiety, and so on. Giants are big!  That is a fact.  There are situations, people, and such in our lives that are  big.  Huge, even! If we don't know how to defeat or face our giants, we will feel overwhelmed, or scared, or try to avoid them at all cost. David did none of these.  Was David afraid when he saw Goliath?  He sure didn't act it!  But how could David, this small, shepherd boy, be so fearless when facing a 9' monster? Not only did David face Goliath, he ran straight at him!  He was the only one that was willing to take on the Philistine.   I don't think David was an overthinker!  I think he simply knew the Lord and His omnipotence.  He was zealous for God and didn't like anyone - not even a beast like Goliath - taunting God's people as if he were greater than God Alnighty! David acted.  He did something about it.