Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Psalm 105:2
I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. I am all left thumbs when it comes to playing the guitar or the piano. Once, I even tried the autoharp and tamborine. Not good at that either. I ‘m lyrically challenged. But I love music! Nothing lifts me like a contemporary Christian praise song. But the old familiar hymns stir my soul as well.
When I pray, I often find myself slipping into the verses of these songs and singing them in my heart back to God. Does music move you like that? There is something about putting words to a tune that brings out the emotion in people and makes the lyrics so easy to memorize. Across the airwaves, cybersapce and on IPods, the Gospel’s message of forgiveness and love can reach millions. So much more than books or even emails. Singers can bring tears to our eyes. We can feel their heartbeats and humanity.We have an instant bond, even though we may never meet them face to face. Music surges through our very sinew and can make us laugh, make us cry , bring us warmth or stir us up. Maybe that is why Christmas carols are such a part of the season, and for that matter, songs of praise are a part of most worship services.
Music definitely influences my moods, so I choose what I listen to very carefully. Think about what you are hearing each day. What are the lyrics to the songs really saying? Do they glorify God or only point out the faults of man? Are they songs of grace and forgivenss or songs of heartbreaks, sex and sorrow?
The next time you feel down and discouraged, listen to some positive Christian music. Find a radio station in your area or tune in on the web. Let the lyrics and tunes lift your soul heavenward and help renew your Spirit. Hear the Gospel message and passages from Scripture embeded in the melody. Join in with the angels singing Holy, Holy. As Casting Crown’s song says – “Sing it till the whole world hears” ( including your own heart).
I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33
