Week 3, Friday December 16
Psalm 40
“Music for my soul”
Vs 3: He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the Lord.
In this 3rd week of Advent, we are over halfway through our time of waiting (in this season.) Week 3 is marked by a theme of joy and what better way to describe this time of joy than to have a “new song put in our mouths!” This reminds me that music was a powerful force in jump-starting my relationship with God. Songs like “How Great is Our God,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Voice of Truth,” and many more. I was first introduced to Christian worship music as a young adult. It was through these songs that I learned that God wanted a personal relationship with me; that if I were in dark times, He would walk with me, comfort me, and never leave me; and that God is bigger than I can ever imagine. During an especially dark time in my life, God brought me music; just the right song with lyrics He knew I needed to hear at just the right time. And this helped me grow deeper in my walk with Him by understanding His perfect timing.
I spent a bit of time in my chaplaincy training at a mental health hospital. Because I remembered how music spoke to me in times of darkness, I looked for songs that might speak to these folks. So during chapel, we’d sing songs like: “Chain Breaker,” “Praise Before My Breakthrough,” and “Rescue.” It was really glorious to watch as God reached out to these broken and lost folks and lifted them up through music.
And we use music with our kids to help introduce them to and connect with God. Recalling those infamous VBS songs: “Father Abraham,” “Jesus Loves me,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and again the list goes on.
If you’re like me, one of the things we love about this time of year is the music. I could listen to Christmas songs for most of the year. Some of the seasonal songs are just for fun: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” But the songs I really cherish remind me of the birth of the Christ Child: “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Mary, Did You Know.” Music permeates our souls. It lifts us up on high. Through this elevation, it’s easy to feel united with the triune God. Jesus walked this earth for a short time healing, teaching, and rebuking and He will come again to draw us all to Him never to be separated again. As we sing “Silent Night, Holy Night,” let us rejoice and take great comfort in knowing in time we will forever be with our Savior. Amen.