The Gift of Music

I had a big decision to make.  The pros and cons cycled through my mind as I drove down the windy roads. As music playing in the background, over and over I asked God to give me an answer to the unrelenting question. Tears threatened to spill as I cried out for his guidance. I had to find an answer before I reached home. Then, a certain song came on the radio, one that assured me God was with me, that he heard my many prayers, and that I could trust him. Some of the overwhelm lifted off my shoulders. In desperation, I whispered, “Please God. Show me the way.” After that, it happened: a song came on that pointed me in an unmistakable direction; it was the answer I needed. The musical gift God had given me echoed in the car, and I sang at the top of my lungs.

Music has tremendous power. There is an old saying that goes, “Music soothes the savage beast.” Something about a hard-rocking beat, a gentle melody line, or a rise and fall of musical intensity instantly pulls us in. The worst of days can be lifted ever so slightly or ever so greatly by the right song. A terrible mood can be almost instantaneously changed when a tune that brings joyful memories comes on the radio. Even a fussy baby can be lulled into dreamland by a gentle lullaby. The savage beast within us all responds to the transformative nature of music.

In the Bible, music is used in many ways. A quick search shows that the word “music” or some form of it is referenced 128 times. The book of Psalms in the Old Testament refers to music the most frequently. The writer of most of the 150 chapters, David, is well-known for his unbridled joy and his uninhibited sorrow.

A musician himself, David often brought music along to punctuate his own moods or to serve as a help to others. David plays a lyre (similar to a harp, but more like an early predecessor to the guitar) to calm King Saul in times of torment (1 Samuel 16). He plays that same lyre when King Saul tried to kill him several times (1 Samuel 19).

In the psalms, David writes of his extreme sadness and pleas for help, his remorseful soul and resolute demeanor, and his joy, which overflows from a grateful heart. Each of these circumstances has one thing in common: David uses them as the basis for his music. These psalms were meant for worship, showing us that even our tough days can be lifted up to God through song.

How often do you “Make a joyful noise to the Lord” (Psalm 100:1)? You may be thinking that you don’t have the voice to sing—but nowhere in the Bible are we told to sing only if our voice is perfectly on pitch. You may be thinking that you don’t have time to sing—but nowhere in the Bible are we told to sing only when we have free moments. You may be thinking that you have no reason to sing—but nowhere in the Bible are we told to sing only when times are great. My friend, we have no excuse. Music is a gift from God, and we should use our voices or instrument-playing hands to give that gift back to him.

Remember how fantastic you felt when you sang that special song at the top of your lungs in your car? That joy happened because of the wonder that is music. Remember how inspired you felt when that perfect song played in the background of your favorite movie? That inspiration came from the intensity that is music. Remember how on fire you felt when you sang that one worship song in church? That fire came from the fervor that is music.

All of these characteristics do not relate only to music—they also relate to our God. Jesus promised that he would give us his joy (John 15:9-12). As followers of Christ, we are inspired daily to live our lives for his glory (Revelation 4:11). The passion we feel when we are doing something we love is the same passion Jesus felt when he was in ministry here on earth.

Music is a gift that can speak to us in our every moment, mood, and movement. A song that brings us happiness today may cause us to feel sad tomorrow. That’s the beauty of music. It meets you where you are and accepts you as you are.

Our God, the creator of music, inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22). He, too, meets us right where we are. That perfect song of worship, repentance, or redemption can put words to the emotions we feel. When we don’t know what to say, the lyrics of a song can be our heart’s cry. Some of the best prayers are songs. Remember how we talked of David earlier? His psalms were songs to be sung in the middle of both celebrations and mourning. Music can speak the words our hearts need to say.

There is no need to pretend we have a joyous spirit when our souls are weary. We do not have to paint on a smile if our heart is breaking. Likewise, if we feel joy, we don’t have to hide it. Our Jesus is near, and he will hear our hearts’ cries through the lyrics and melodies of our favorite songs.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been moved to worship in my car; all because the right song came on the radio at just the right time. God knows what we need, and sometimes we receive it in the most wonderful way, through the melodious gift of music.

Anita Fessler is a wife, mom, and Bible study teacher, who loves to cook, write and make music. She and her husband have two grown sons who come home to NC often, bringing their special sweetheart girls with them. You can follow her at https://anitafessler.wordpress.com/ or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/beverywellfed.

Photograph © Michael Maasen, used with permission