The Upper Room devotional reflection for Tuesday, July 12, 2022 comes to us from Robert Racine of North Carolina.
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 NIV
“Songs from the Heart”
Not being blessed with natural musical ability, I found it difficult and frustrating to learn new songs with the praise team at my church every week. Five years ago, I never heard any of these songs and did not understand the reason for worship. Nor did I realize that many of the songs were actually based upon Bible verses or older hymns. At first, performing each week made me anxious and uncomfortable. But then the Holy Spirit taught me that it is the “heart of worship” that counts – and the message of the song rather that its delivery. Once I stopped focusing on performing perfectly, I realized that music offered as a labor of love and worship is beautiful and pleasing to God.
The purpose of playing music and singing is to praise and worship God. The psalmist says, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving” (Ps. 69:30). We worship aloud to acknowledge our love for God, not to perform or seek admiration for ourselves. The voices and sounds that fill every church around the world are pleasing to God – especially when our hearts and minds are open to the truth and power of scripture contained in the songs.
Friends –
As worship music has evolved over the centuries from chanting; to what we think of as traditional hymns; to the folk/rock songs of my youth; to the more recent praise music, RAP, and HIP-HOP, the church has focused its worship on music, even more than on the spoken word. Music helps us to remember the words and spirit of our scripture and our faith.
Robert Racine reminds us that God’s Holy Spirit can be communicated through many types of speech and music. Even as our Spirits are fed by the music that inspired and informed our own faith, we are called to offer that Spirit through music that speaks to those we are seeking to serve. I invite you to consider which songs of our faith have inspired and informed your faith.
--Pastor bea
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your love and peace through song. Focus our minds, soften our hearts, open our eyes and ears to the truth of your word. Amen.
--Robert Racine
Prayer Focus:
Musicians
Thought for the Day:
I will sing boldly with a faithful heart as an offering to God.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)