© 19 Colin Melbourne
Q: What is the purpose of music and song, and what instruments can we use?
The Harp Inside
A: The finest musical instrument on Earth is not the viola da gamba, cello, violin, or piano, nor the perfect singing voice: It is a born-again heart, when full of praise and worship for Our Creator.
It is He who has equipped the spirit of man with the desire to make music, to sing songs, and worship Him in spirit and truth.
He’s provided us with the physical organs necessary; larynx, tongue, and lips, to sing His praises, a voice to glorify His Name: The ability to make music which reflects His nature.
That’s why Christians sing and make music: It is a reflection of Our Maker.
Handel composing with his portable clavichord.
When believers hear the anointed music of George Frederick Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach, our hearts resonate with divine praise and worship.
It’s not religion, but a spiritual connection with Our Father in Heaven.
And it only comes by genuine heart faith in The LORD Jesus Christ.
Praise God for The Blood that takes away the sins of mankind. Mtt. 26:28 KJV;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Highway to Glory
Music is a direct route to our spirits, because that is how The LORD made us.
That is why music is so powerful, and effective at moving the emotions of sinner and saint alike.
Godly music encourages believers to worship, love and honour Our LORD.
Stairway to Hell
Ungodly music is used by Satan to inspire sinners to sin, hate and destroy.
Be careful what you let into your ears.
Created to Create
Since Creation The Word of God has also anointed men and women with divine gifts to make music and song, to sing, and to design musical instruments of many kinds, people such as Jubal, Gen. 4:21 KJV;
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Reformation Music
We still find by far the finest musical talent in Central Europe, particularly German musical composers, and instrument makers.
It is not by chance.
Non-Stop Melody
The shepherd boy David was a musician from birth. He sang and worshipped all the time, just as we are to do.
Christians are exhorted to make melody in our hearts constantly. Eph. 5:18-20 KJV;
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
When later made King, David was inspired to sing and write, Psalms 30:1-12 KJV;
(A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.) I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Not of this World
Christians sing and make music to worship praise and glorify Almighty God.
Not melancholic dirges, not silly “love” songs, not sentimental ballads, not patriotic anthems, not football choruses, not bar-room filth, but songs of praise for who The LORD is, and what He’s done for us.
We are to sing His praises no matter how we feel, or what we are going through.
It’s easy to sing gloriously on the mountain top, isn’t it?
But Oh the mighty power of worship in the valleys!
The Perfect Time To Praise
You whose heart is like stone, those who are crushed by circumstances, weighed down by burdens and failure. This message is for you.
Look up!
Deny yourself, ignore your feelings, they don’t last, good or bad, they are transient.
Fix your spiritual eyes on The Eternal LORD Jesus Christ, your Glorified Kinsman Redeemer.
He knows all about you, what you are going through, and wants you to praise Him now, and always. Look, Psalms 66: 1-2 KJV;
To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.
Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Try doing that when you are utterly crushed, perhaps diagnosed with malignant cancer.
Or maybe your husband has run off with a teenage adulteress, and left you to raise five children alone.
What are you to do?
Spend your days weeping buckets of tears, pleading, “why has this happened to me?”
Your flesh will always react like that, and soon blame God for allowing it, leading you into Job’s sin.
Don’t waste your time on that line, instead follow Jesus, obey the written word like He did, and,
Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Take a hold of matters inside, make your heart do that, let your spirit praise Him gloriously.
You can only do so by taking your eyes off your situation, and looking to Him.
That is why He tells us to praise Him, to deny ourselves.
Your flesh will still feel like lead, it may still groan, ache and stab, but nevertheless keep on praising Him because of who He is, and what He’s done for you.
That is the whole point of praise and worship: To get our eyes off ourselves and onto Christ Our Saviour.
You’ll begin to see how He will move Heaven and Earth to fix your problem.
Then keep at it, don’t stop worshipping Him for who He is.
Why?
Because your Creator is your life, He is your Redemption, wisdom, holiness, and your Saviour.
Use the Instrument He gave you to praise Him… and start now.
© 19 Colin Melbourne
