January 13, 2024

Exodus 15.1 (NIV)

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.”

There’s something magical that happens when the words and music go together.*

Music is one of God’s best creations, but when it is used to praise him, well, that just takes it to another level.  Music that is motivated by the very thought of his character makes me long for heaven and to be in his presence forever. 

I have always believed that music alone, without lyrics, is neutral – without power to provoke good or bad. But consider that throughout history, armies have used bugles, bagpipes, fifes, and drums to rally the troops. Can you think of musical arrangements (no lyrics) that have been used to incite people to evil?

Music, like all of God’s best stuff, has been hijacked by Satan for his own twisted purposes, especially church music. How thrilled he must be when God’s people are so divided over it. We’re not talking about disputes over whether or not the words are scriptural - congregations have split over nothing more than personal taste in music. The solution to the debate about music styles in church lies in our having the heart of Christ – and that’s all I’m going to say about that!

So I say

Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing

Thanks for all the joy they're bringing

Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty?

What would life be?

Without a song or a dance what are we?

So I say thank you for the music

For giving it to me*

Heaven is revealed to earth as the homeland of music.*

*Quote sources available upon request.