Music has always been important to me. When I was a small child in Missouri I often sang “Heavenly Sunlight” on rainy days. My mother told me later that the sun often appeared. When I attended a small Bible church in Enid, Oklahoma, one member heard me singing “Jesus Saves” and told me I needed to be in the choir. When I was custodian at Western Park Baptist Church and alone in the education building I often sang songs of praise. When I am restless at night I sing favorite hymns mentally and relax and fall asleep.
Scriptures teach us that we should be singing people. As Charles Swindoll wrote in Day to Day with Charles Swindoll, “A spirit-filled saint is a singing saint. Animals can’t sing. Neither can pews or pulpits or Bibles or buildings—only you. And your melody is broadcast right into heaven where God’s antenna is always receptive . . .where the soothing strains of your song are always appreciated.”
Paul advises, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19b) In Psalm 98: 1 we are encouraged to “Sing to the Lord a new song.” A few verses later we are told to “burst into jubilant song with music.” (98:4b) Music glorifies our Lord and lifts our spirits.
Pastor Swindoll suggests five ways to enhance our worship through music. His first suggestion is, “Whatever and wherever you sing concentrate on the words.” Concentrating on the words enables us to let our Lord speak to us through the composer’s words. We understand the writer’s purpose in putting his/her thoughts down on paper.
He also advises to “Make a definite effort to add one or two songs to your day.” Adding new songs to hymns we know and love enables our Lord to have two more chances to speak to us about His love, His will, His presence with us and many other things.
We are also encouraged to “sing often with a friend or member of your family. It helps break down all sorts of invisible barriers.” Singing not only praises our Lord, but enhances relationships with family members and our Christian brothers and sisters.
Pastor Swindoll advises us to “Blow the dust off your tape or CD player and put on some beautiful music around the house. And don’t forget to add your own ‘special effects’.” In other words, have fun! Singing is meant to be fun, not a chore.
His last bit of advice is, “Never mind how beautiful or pitiful you may sound. You are not auditioning for the choir; you’re making melody with your heart. SING OUT!”
Our Lord will bless you as you sing praises to Him, but it is far more important to know that you are pleasing, honoring and worshipping Him. We don’t have to be in a church building to do that!
By: David Oldfather
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