Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
- Isaiah 54:10
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
- Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
- Zephaniah 3:17
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
- Lamentations 3:22-23
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
- 1 John 4:9-10
Say it over and over again,
Over and over again
Never stop saying you’re mine.
Say it, ever and ever so sweet,
Ever and ever so sweet
Just like an old valentine.
When you say I love you,
The same old I love you,
They whisper in stories and plays,
You can change I love you,
The same old I love you,
To oh such a heavenly phrase.
So say it softly and gently and then,
Over and over again,
Never stop saying you’re mine.
~~~♫♫♫ ~~~
When you say I love you,
The same old I love you,
They whisper in stories and plays,
You can change I love you,
The same old I love you,
To oh, such a heavenly phrase.
So say it softly and gently and then,
Over and over again,
Never stop saying you’re mine.
- Frank Loesser, Say It (Over and Over Again)
This song debuted in 1940 in the movie Buck Benny Rides Again. Frank Sinatra and other singers sang the song. One of the more memorable renditions was a jazz instrumental by John Coltrane.
I wanted to use this one a couple of months ago, but I was listening to the Jonh Pizzarelli recording and all my poor eyesight could see was “over and over again.” There are a couple of songs out there with that title, or something close. You add the real song title, Say It, and the internet goes back a few more decades to get to the right song.
This song works in either direction. God wants us to remind ourselves that He loves us, and He will never ever let us go. No matter how we stumble, we get back up. And He is there to wipe away our tears. Over and over again. But if we keep saying it, over and over again, we find ourselves not stumbling as much.
But then the other side of the coin, we are like the father of the man with evil spirits. “Oh, dear Lord, I believe, but forgive me for my unbelief. Lord, just say it, say it over and over again. Will you be faithful in fulfilling your promises? Lord, I believe. I trust you. There is really nowhere else to turn except to you. …
“But Lord, it would be so blissful if you would say it, over and over again.”
Yes, we are that broken record. And somehow, I do not think God minds repeating Himself. Maybe write down the Scriptures above or those that speak more to you.
Anytime you falter. Anytime you feel blue. Anytime things just don’t make sense. Anytime you feel the ground shake beneath your feet, figuratively or physically…
Read those verses that reassure you that God keeps His promises. Read those verses that reassure you that God loves you.
Read them. Read them over and over again. Over and over again. Never stop knowing that you are a child of God.
Here is Say It sung by John Pizzarelli. John Pizzarelli (1966-present), son of jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli, was encouraged by his father to play the 7-string guitar. John Pizzarelli has played with a variety of artists, including John McCarthey, Rosemary Clooney, and Pizzarelli’s wife Jessica Molaskey. John Pizzarelli’s singing style is almost like he is whispering. Somehow, especially for this song, it makes the lyrics soak in more. They seem to wrap around you like a warm blanket.
Here is Say It played by John Coltrane. You might want to mellow to this soft jazz, but then hit the replay, scroll up to the lyrics, and sing along.
Say It, Lord. “Say It over and over again. Over and over again. Never stop saying you’re mine.”
Yes, Lord. I am yours. I will say it over and over again. You keep your promises. No matter how often I fall short, you promise to always be there to pick me up, and wipe away my tears.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
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