I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth ~ Hosea 2:15.

Introduction:

This year is rapidly advancing to a close, with the prospect of greater opportunities ahead. No doubt, it has offered diverse experiences to different people in very many distinct circumstances. Whatever the case, God is saying that our springs of joy and gladness are not gone forever.

Please be informed that it is quite normal that certain experiences in the journeys of destiny show up with remarkable pains, especially in view of all the crises and the uncertainties that surround living in this world presently. Yet, no matter the circumstances, I believe as God has said: we shall sing again!

Good things can still come out of evil experiences, and sweetness can yet spring forth from any bitter despair.

Understanding the Fundamentals of New Songs

New songs are native to the realm of new things, new testimonies and new scintillating experiences in life. When the Lord dramatically delivered Israel from the terror of Pharaoh at the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang a new song (Exodus 15:1).

Basically, a song is an expression of an experience that is rendered with musical harmonies. That was what David did most of the time in the Book of Psalms.

When the Lord led him out of the wilderness of confusion, and changed him from an ordinary wanderer to a wonder, he sang (Psalm 23:1-6;  48:1-11; 71:7). And, he sang again when the Lord delivered him from the enemies that surrounded and troubled him sorely (Psalm 3:3).

Even in our contemporary times, we find many examples of this. For example, Horatio Spafford experienced a family tragedy, but he was comforted by the Holy Spirit and he sang the famous hymn, “It is well with my soul”. In a similar vein, Fanny Crosby also sang, “Blessed Assurance”.

Again, reminiscent of certain personal experiences of God’s intervention, the Nigerian artist, Sunny Ade, sang, “O ti mu mi gbagbe”. And, Aiyefele also sang, “Ta lo so pe ko si’jo mo?”

For those who operate under the mercy of God, new songs never cease because of new experiences: new houses, new cars, new levels of victory, new testimonies of divine intervention, glorious marriages after delays, new births, new family breakthroughs etc. You will sing new songs again and again in Jesus name. Amen.

The Valley of Achor and Our Doors of Hope

The Hebrew word “Achor” means "disaster" or "trouble". Hence, the valley of Achor (or, Valley of Trouble) was named after the unfortunate incident recorded in Joshua 7:1-8:28.

The valley of Achor was an emblem of failure and fainting. Down its long lane were terrified fugitives who had fled the battlefield, and were now bearing to Joshua horrible stories of defeat.

At that time, Israel was on the very threshold of Canaan, but  Achan’s misbehaviour jeopardised her progress, and cast a dark shadow over the entire nation. However, the story didn't end on that sad note.

After the defeat, they all gathered at the valley of Achor to chart a way out of their peculiar mess (v.24). Thereafter, the wrath of God was abated, His fierce anger was turned off, and Israel's journey to the Promised Land was marked by renewed hope.

The valley of Achor is a turning point for joy, and a special gateway of hope, opening to better days and fruitfulness (Isaiah 65:10). There, Israel’s trouble dramatically turned to testimonies, and they sang a new song as in the days of the exodus (Exodus 15:1-21; Isaiah 11:15-16; Revelation 15:2-3).

Please keep in mind that there is not a single life without its valley of Achor. But, each valley of Achor — a place of defeat, failure and fainting — also doubles as a place of celebration. Whatever the situation might be, a new song of joyful testimony is always a possibility.

Meanwhile, it must be settled in your mind that keeping God’s commandments, and staying connected to His promises and sure mercy are the major secrets that will guarantee your new songs.

Making Rooms for Your New Songs

You want to sing new songs? First of all, you must deal ruthlessly with the accursed things in your life. That was what opened the camp of Israel to new songs. They dealt with the Achan in their camp, and God put new songs in their mouths (Joshua 7:26).

God detests and abhors sin in all its appearances. Achan traded in the accursed thing contrary to the clear commandment of God, and he opened the doors for a curse of false security, the fierce anger of God and an agonising defeat for the entire nation (Joshua 6:18). Israel didn’t spare him though.

Yes, through the blood of Jesus Christ, we already overcame the beasts, and the gateway of hope is flung open for us to sing new songs (Revelation 12:11). Albeit, we must be ruthless with sin and our negative character bents.

Never spare wickedness, immorality, pride, unbelief, hard-heartedness, bitterness, double-mindedness, unfaithfulness, inconsistency, grumbling, disobedience, lukewarmness, self-pity, negative attitudes to life, cultural attachment to evil, unyielding lifestyle to the Holy Spirit, etc.

Punch hard at them, you will definitely taste afresh the glad sense of God’s pardoning love, and the accursed things holding the upper hand against your destiny will lose their holds, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Next, in order to sing new songs, you must be ready to compose them in the place of prayers. David did, and the Lord put new songs in His mouth (Psalms 40:1-3).

Above all, you must never forget to sincerely invite Jesus Christ into your situations by faith. When we encounter Jesus, like one of the rulers of the synagogue did, our new songs become perfectly composed (Mark 5:21-24; 35-42).

God always wishes to give us new revelations of His love, to draw us into His most tender fellowship, and to lift us up into the lifestyle of victory and new songs. But, a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ is our assured guarantee for these. He alone is the Spring-force of every new song of joy.

Dear friends, who lied to you that you must go on mourning all your days because of sin, poverty, joblessness, barrenness, delay in marriage, demonic harassment, diseases and pains? Who lied to you that there is no way out of that mess in which you have found yourself?

Please throw those lies into the rubbish bin because God already said He would put a new song in your mouth! Undoubtedly, there is still beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3)! Alleluia!!

Attack the spiritual enemies of your new songs, rapidly. Deal with them, viciously. No matter the odds, keep punching them ceaselessly in prayer; your new songs are just around the corner, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Sunday!

• Bishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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