“Sing And Make Music In Your Heart To The Lord!”

“Sing And Make Music In Your Heart To The Lord!”(Eph. 5:15-20).
For Sunday services and other Holy days the lectionary of the PCC provides three scriptural readings and a Psalm or its portion. The readings are always, one from the Old Testament, one of the gospels and from one of the epistles.
There is always an underlying core message which cuts across the three readings; one of which is used as the text for preaching.
The subsequent texts used daily from Monday to Saturday ties with the readings of Sunday.
From time to time we take a break and give these explanations so that our non PCC online followers should know how we come by our daily texts for reflections. During the week we also try as much as possible to remain within the boundaries of the underlying message that cut across the three readings of Sunday.
On this last Sunday of the month of April we wouldn’t be wrong to see that the core message that cuts across the readings is praise, singing, and song.
The Psalm of the day opens with, “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his Holy arm have worked salvation for him…”(Ps.98:1-6).
The first reading also opens with, “Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth…”(Is. 42:10-16).
The second reading says, “When he came near where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.’…”(Lk. 19:37-40).
Finally the text for meditation today ends with, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Those who live in natural environments know how at early dawn the birds sing as if in a competition in praise of their creator. These birds are not just happy for a new day; they are expressing their thankfulness to him that has given them that new day.
We are over familiar with the statement, “When we sing, we pray double.”
There is a missing dimension in your spiritual growing when you do not sing and praise God joyfully.
Our spirits are lifted high when we sing. And there is an overflow of joy when the spirit of music or song has taken over the singers. You may say when music is at its crescendo.
We miss the point when we consider singing and praise only vocally. Paul says, “make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…”
The late Prof. John S. Mbiti made the statement that “Africans are notoriously religious.” We add that Africans are notoriously good composers and singers.” Almost every African is a singer, music maker or composer. This religious and song notoriety is what has been transposed to Christianity, and which characterises – especially Pentecostal and charismatic – worship services; and which is often misunderstood for brainwashing. Singing starts from childhood. Watch and listen to little children playing and you will hear them singing anything that comes to their hearts. The Lord Jesus Christ says we must become like children to inherit the kingdom of God. There’s much we can learn from the children and the birds about perpetual praise to God for what he has done for us – and what he is about to do – through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Singing and praising God requires a right frame of mind. This is why we are asked to be very careful how we live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil…do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is,” not getting drunk on wine which leads to debauchery. “Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
My friend, don’t stop praising the Lord, but rather sing the day and sing the night to his glory!
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help me daily to make melody in my heart for the Lord and to sing and praise him joyfully. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.