Who doesn’t enjoy music? Music can tame a savage beast! Okay, at least calm a savage beast. Music can do wonders to our moods and spirit. Have you noticed that most special events have some type of music? Ever been to a birthday party where they didn’t sing “Happy Birthday”? Or watched a movie that didn’t have music in the background?
Music has been a big part of my life. Whenever my dad’s around, there would be some kind of music- either from the radio, tape player, record player, or him singing. He had tapes of songs he sang. If my memory is correct, he actually serenaded my mom when they were in college.
So I enjoyed listening to all kinds of music. I actually thought it was cool when I could hear the high school marching band practice when the windows were open at my house when I was growing up. As I got older, I started actually paying attention to some of the lyrics of the songs I was listening to. I knew I shouldn’t listen to certain types of music.
While participating in a university student group, I was introduced to praise and worship songs. The lyrics were easy to remember and sing. The songs made me feel so much better after singing them. Then I found radio stations that played similar types of songs. So that’s what I listened to most of the time.
One time, on a retreat during my university days, I elbowed Scott because it sounded like he was making fun of a song that we were singing during a campfire gathering. I found out later that he was actually doing his best to sing the song. He has a good ear but his tone can be harsh.
You don’t have to be a great singer to praise and worship God. He just wants us to make a joyful noise to Him. Clapping our hands and shouting to God is okay, too. When I first experienced others doing that, I was a bit shocked. But they were filled with the spirit and really praising and worshiping in their own way.
Now I remember the story of David praising God by dancing wholeheartedly in a linen garment while trumpets sounded when the Ark was returned to Jerusalem. David was focused on God and not on what he looked like worshiping Him.
Sadly, I am more like David’s wife who was concerned about appearances. My daughter, on the other hand, is very comfortable expressing her joy during worship. But I’m getting better at focusing on who I’m worshiping instead of who could be watching. Sometimes I even surprise myself when I have my hands in the air.
I hope you enjoy music and that you also enjoy making a joyful noise to our Lord. I believe He wants to hear from us and enjoys it, too.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that we don’t need to have a beautiful voice to praise You. Help us to have a heart full of thanksgiving for all that You do. May we praise You with our whole being because You alone are worthy.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
1 Samuel 16:23 David would play the harp, then Saul would feel better and the tormenting spirit would go away
James 5:13 Are any of you happy? You should sing praises
Matthew 11:17 We played wedding songs and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs but you didn’t mourn
Philippians 4:8 Fill your minds with those things that are excellent and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable
Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with grace in your hearts
Psalms 100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth
Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all you people, shout out to God with a voice of joy
2 Samuel 6:14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his strength before the Lord
2 Samuel 6:20 Saul’s daughter said to David, “How the king of Israel honored himself by uncovering himself in the eyes of his servants like the vain ones do”
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise to Him
Psalms 57:7 I will sing and give praise
Song
“Joyful Noise” by Jordan Feliz. There were so many versions from different artists, but this one seemed to match my blog better. Do you agree?
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then find a radio station or music streaming channel that plays praise and worship songs and listen to it for a week to see if it makes a difference in your day.