Music: God’s Gift

Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.  In Genesis 4:21 we are introduced to a man named Jubal who is described as, “the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.” Jubal is often lauded as the first musician in the Bible.

            Throughout the Psalms we are told to praise the Lord using a variety of musical instruments. Several of the psalms are introduced, “for the choir director,” which many scholars believe means that they were given to this choir director for him to put the words of the poem to music.  The Psalms, for the most part, were intended to be sung.

            I grew up in a musical home. Neither mom nor dad could read a note of music, nor could they play any instruments. But they could sing. In fact, they sang together on the radio before they had their first date.  They sang in our church choir, and they made certain my sister and I were given the opportunity to receive formal musical training.

            I began playing the piano in third grade and the saxophone in fifth.  My sister played the piano and clarinet.  And when I was in high school, my parents and I sang as a trio with Pam accompanying us on the piano. 

            I love music.  I cannot imagine Sunday morning worship without music.  Much of the theology we learn comes in the form of song. That is why the words of the music matter so much. We must be sure that we sing words that bring honor and glory to God, and that tell His story truthfully.

            At Shellman Bluff Baptist music is an important part of who we are. Our choir is skillfully led by Terry Barnard. And fortunately for me, the standards for joining are low enough that they allow the preacher to sing with them.  This Sunday we will sing our Easter Cantata, “Is He Worthy?” If you don’t have a church home we invite you to join us. Or, you can watch it later on our Facebook page. 

            Or, you can support your own church and its music program by singing with your whole heart as you join your church family in worship.  “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Those words still matter today.  What a blessing to be able to sing to the Lord a new song!