Make Music With The Heavens

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:7 

"Sing, Sing, Sing, and make music with the heavens..."  (Sing, Sing, Sing. Chris Tomlin)

I LOVE music. I read somewhere* that the Bible contains over 1,150 references related to music, words such as melody, hymn, song, or specific instruments. Compare that number to the frequency of other biblical terms. Depending upon which translation is used, total occurrences vary. Here are a few:  Love (over 500), Fear Not (approximately 365), Honor (approximately 146), Forgiveness (approximately 110). The Bible tells us God is love, but I am guessing he is in love with music. I know the feeling. Sharing this passion with my Creator draws me even closer to Him.

Whether I am folding laundry, helping with homework, at the gym, working on a project, or even writing this blog, I am listening to music. I enjoy an array of musical genres, as long as the lyrics or the artists are not offensive. Classical. Alternative. Solo piano. Reggae. Jazz. Country.

For a variety of reasons, my absolute favorite is contemporary Christian. These songwriters often draw lyrics straight from God's Word, keeping me rooted in Christ all day long.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3 (Psalm 40,NewSong)

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 28-31 (Everlasting God, Lincoln Brewster)

Sometimes I just want to praise the Lord and honor Him; my heart and soul are moved to glorify our Father. At those times, you can find me standing in the middle of the kitchen or out on a run in the neighborhood, hands lifted high, eyes closed, and heart deep in worship of the only One to love me for exactly who I am, for who He created me to be. I know God does not care if I look silly or crazy, so why worry about what the neighbors or my kids think? I am just loving my Father and belting it out. (And here I add that I cannot carry a tune in a bucket, so thank you Lord for not plugging your holy ears!)

"How great is our God, sing with me, How Great is our God, all will sing, How great, How great is our God." (How Great Is Our God, Passion Worship Band )

"I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean? Singing, How Marvelous. How Wonderful. And my song shall ever be. How Marvelous. How Wonderful, is my Savior's love for me."  (I Stand Amazed, Chris Tomlin)

Another point that draws me to Christian music is the story...God's story set to music, reminding me of His faithfulness to real people from Adam and Eve down to the apostles and early church leaders. Because our God is alive, His Word is also living and active in me today. These songs give me hope for the future.

"Blessed are you, as you weep on your knees, with perfume and tears washing over My feet. Blessed are you, beggar, hopeless and blind calling for mercy when I’m passing by. Blessed are you, shaking your head at two tiny fish and some bread. Blessed are you as you tremble and wait for the first stone thrown at your sinful disgrace. Tell me your story, show me your wounds and I’ll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you." (When Love Sees You, Mac Powell)

"Oh what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone, surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor, wishing they'd have had the strength to stand." (Voice of Truth, Casting Crowns)

Sometimes songs are just songs until you hear the story behind them, either live in concert or in writing (often by the artist himself.) Or perhaps you see a video or a movie that gives a new meaning or purpose to the lyrics. I have a few of those selections as well. Most recently, I saw Jeremy Camp perform live. After the show, I bought his book I Still Believe. I will never hear his music in the same way now that I have a visual picture of his testimony and inspiration for writing.

"Well in brokenness I can see this was Your will for me, to help me to know that You are near, yea.  Cause I still believe in Your faithfulness, I still believe in Your truth, Cause I still believe in Your Holy Word, Cause even when I don't see, I still believe." (I Still Believe, Jeremy Camp)

"We were made to be courageous, and it starts with us tonight. The only way we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands. Make us courageous, Lord make us courageous." (Courageous, from movie Courageous, Casting Crowns)

In some of my darkest, most painful moments, I have turned to music to carry me through the valley. God speaks to me through His Spirit and His gift of musical talent to believers who choose to share with all of us. I praise Him, and them, for the beauty they produce together. 

"There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing, He will meet you wherever you are. Cry out to Jesus." (Cry Out To Jesus, Third Day)

"My Life, has led me down the road that’s so uncertain, and now I am left alone and I am broken, trying to find my way, trying to find the faith that is gone...Give me a Revelation, Show me what to do, Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue." (Revelation, Third Day)

A few songs deserve the title of "favorites." Anything sung by Mac Powell goes into that category! His voice captivates me, and his songs strike a note deep inside my heart. Others sit at the top of my chart because they remind me of my abiding love for my Savior. 

"I believe that He who suffered, was crucified, buried, and dead. He descended into hell and, on the third day, He rose again. He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God's mighty right hand. And I believe that He's returning to judge the quick and the dead and the sons of man. Well I believe what I believe, that what makes me who I am. No I did not make it, but it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man." (The Apostles Creed-Live, Tribute to Rich Mullens, by Third Day)

"This is the body, and this is the blood, broken and poured out, for all of us. And in this Communion, we share in His love." (Commmunion, Third Day/Mac Powell)

Finally, Girlfriends, my ultimate reason for loving Christian music....joy in Jesus! Music made in His honor causes me to smile, dance, sing loudly, and praise God for every blessing--the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the sad and the happy! So put on your dancing shoes, warm up your vocal cords, push back the furniture, and let's move! God rocks! and rolls! and harmonizes! And thankfully He directs all the choirs in heaven to which one day we will belong, singing eternal praises to Him, making beautiful music together!

"Whoa, whoa...Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones. Love, love's coming through your headphones." (Headphones, Britt Nicole)

"Cause I'm a God girl, that's who I'll be, from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. No I can't deny it, wouldn't even try, I'm your girl, in a crazy world." (God Girl, Jamie Grace)

"They say it sounds insane, we say that we've been changed by the power of crazy love. This world, it looks at us like we're ridiculous, Baby, it's all because of crazy love." (Crazy Love, Hawk Nelson)

"I'm Awake, I'm Alive, Now I know what I believe inside, Now, it's my time, I'll do what I want, cause this is my life, Here, Right here. Now. Right now." (Awake and Alive, Skillet)

"I hear the birds singing, now my alarm's ringing, get up, get up. Hey. It's a good morning, wake up to a brand new day." (Good Morning, Mandisa)

I pray you will click on the many hyperlinks in this devotional and enjoy some amazing worship music. I also pray you will honor God and connect with Him through music, whether it is a choir of chirping birds or a jam session in your basement. Just sing, sing, sing, and make music with the heavens....

P.S. Comment below and tell me what are some of your favorite songs, of any genre. I’d love to hear.

*http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles/music_references.html