The word "will" means to express determination, compulsion (driving force), obligation or necessity in the first person, firm resolve. It is relatively easy to sing when things are going as you want them to as evidenced by some of the few verses in the New Testament regarding singing. "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." Hebrews 2:12. "Is any merry? let him sing psalms." James 5:13. "I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also." I Corinthians 14:15. The real test of Christianity, though, is when you are going through a real trial. Can you sing then?

Let's interview Jesus at the last supper. (Matthew 26

Question: Are all the disciples loyal?

Jesus: No, one of them is going to betray me and sell me like a slave.

Question: What about the other eleven?

Jesus: In the very near future Peter is going to deny me three times. All the others will forsake me and flee.

Question: What is your future?

Jesus: This bread is my body which is broken for you. This cup is my blood which is shed for you.

Question: How do you feel?

Jesus: My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death. I will pray shortly that if it is possible this hour might pass from me.

Question: What are you going to do?

Jesus: I WILL SING. Matthew 26:30, "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

Let's interview Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. (Acts 16)

Question: How did you get in here?

Answer: We cast the spirit of divination out of a slave girl.

Question: I don't get it, why would that cause you to be put in prison?

Answer: When her masters saw the hope of their gain was lost they brought us to the rulers.

Question: Then what happened?

Answer: They falsely accused us of troubling the city and teaching unlawful customs.

Question: How did you get these awful wounds on your back?

Answer: The magistrates tore off our clothes and commanded us to be beaten with many stripes.

Question: Why didn't you claim your Roman citizenship?

Answer: Somehow I just didn't feel led to, but if this ever happens again I sure will.

Question: What is that about your feet?

Answer: These are called stocks.

Question: You are way down here in the inner prison and no one will ever find you down here. What are you going to do?

Answer: I WILL SING. Acts 16:25, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God.

Let's interview David. Psalm 101. (I Samuel 18:7-28; 19:10-16; 23:14; 26:2)

Question: When did your trouble with Saul start?

David: When the women said, "Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands." Saul said, "What can he have more but the kingdom?"

Question: What has Saul done to you?

David: He tried to kill me by requiring the foreskins of 100 Philistines in order to marry his daughter, Michal. Also he tried to kill me with a javelin three times. Later he sent messengers to my house to kill me. He has been seeking my life every day and now has 3000 chosen men to seek me in the wilderness of Ziph.

Question: Are you going to retaliate?

David: No, the scripture says, "Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm."

Question: David, what are you going to do?

David: I WILL SING!

What will you do with setbacks in life?

When you are:

• Falsely accused or slandered against.

• Laid off or fired from job.

• Voted out of an office.

Or when your:

• Child, spouse, or near relative dies.

• House burns to the ground.

• Automobile is totaled.

• Body is stricken with a terminal illness.

• Business fails.

• Marriage fails.

I trust that you will be able to say with a firm resolve like Jesus, Paul and David "I WILL SING!"

In addition in Psalms 101 David resolved to:

• Behave myself wisely

• Walk within house with perfect heart

• Set no wicked thing before mine eyes.

• Keep my eyes on the faithful.