God Gives a Song

On the set of “Perpetua”

We asked a young actress who has worked with us before to play the leading role of “Perpetua” in the Lost Legacy Reclaimed series. Perpetua was persecuted by the Romans during the second century in North Africa. The diaries of Perpetua and the documents appended by Christians after her death mention that she sang a song while she was in the arena before they released the wild animals to attack and kill her.

Perla, the actress, and I were trying to find a song she could sing in this scene without copyrights and that was not too modern sounding. We hadn't found anything that felt right. Perla sent me two scripture verses that she felt could fit the story.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

But still, we had no song. Perla said she was not a musician, but she, as a new believer, would pray. She went for a walk and felt a tune rise in her heart. It was haunting and ancient-sounding — just right for the time period.

The actors had been directed to speak in Latin which was the local language of the day for the stories in North Africa. When Perla went back to where she was staying and converted the Bible verses into Latin — they rhymed and fit the tune perfectly!

Only God can do really incredible things like that. Perla sang this in the arena that we rented to shoot the scenes. It was amazing realizing that the Holy Spirit had given us a song rather than directing us to something created by someone else! Marvelous and unexpected. God is faithful. Let’s give the world more songs!

(Watch Lost Legacy Reclaimed, “Perpetua,” S1:Ep 3 in English for free. The full series can be seen on Amazon Prime Video, Redeem TV, and Inspiration TV.)

God’s Word for Today:

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:3

Pray with us:

  • Pray for God to delight the hearts of those seeking solace online or on television today.

  • Pray for IMM to be tuned to the Holy Spirit as He does the best direction of projects.

  • Pray that you will have eyes to see the unexpected work of God in your life.

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