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This Week’s Devotional Topic
POWER OF MUSIC
Many years ago, I served as Youth and Music Minister of a small church. This was back in the early 1970s and in the California Bay Area. Working with the teenagers, there were a lot of questions about music available to them. To help provide direction from the Bible, I created a study called “God’s Standards For Music”. This addressed scriptural guidelines for any and all music, secular and Christian. While growing up, I’ve enjoyed music a lot, both as a vocalist and a serious listener. As a teenager, I went through a time when I literally had music in my ears almost 24 hours a day. At night, I had ear phones connected to my Transistor Radio. More than once, I would wake up with the cord wrapped around my neck. Funny now but not funny then.
Obviously, music is still a vital part of my life and I try to be very careful what I listen to. I know it has an effect on my heart and mind. Even as I work on this devotional to share with you, I’ve got Christian Oldies music playing here in the studio.
Music can be a powerful tool. Just like any tool, it can be used for creation or destruction. Godly music can be used for creating praise and worship, teaching, edifying the believer and everything else that the word of God has power to do in and through us.
Very early in Scripture we read how music can minister and be used of God. Here’s an event in the life of Elisha, the prophet.
II Kings 3:14-16 And Elisha said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the LORD…”
Elisha went on to declare good news from God to Jehoshaphat, then King of Israel.
I Samuel 16:22,23 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.
Listen to the account of the dedication of the Ark and what took place as the music by voices and instruments was praising God.
II Chronicles 5:7-14 Then the priests carried the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. Then the priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day. And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.
Music can be a vehicle of worship.
Psalms 100:1-4 A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Immerse yourself in God’s word, spoken and in song. And when you are listening to any style or type of music, make sure that it matches the criteria that the Apostle Paul gave for us to think about.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
I Peter 1:15,16 “…like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
And as we listen to music, we can use the test of whether God would approve of it. And W.W.J.D. What would Jesus do?
This week’s Scripture:
II Kings 3:14-16; I Samuel 16:22,23; II Chonicles 5:7-14; Psalms 100:1-4;119:10; Philippians 4:8 and I Peter 1:15,16
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