Dale Topp in his book Music in the Christian Community argues that God is the chief listener in worship music. Our music is to God. God delights and responds to our music. In I Samuel 16, when Saul was terrorized by a harmful spirit the only way to end his agony was by playing music. God acts when God’s people make music. In II Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing to the Lord from Psalm 136: “Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever.” What was the result? The Bible says: “And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.” This is a principle we need to keep in mind this morning: that God listens to what we sing. What we sing matters. Why? Because God is waiting to act on our behalf.
Prayer: Act, O God. For we are a weak people apart from your powerful right hand. Teach our hearts and mouths to sing with joy and to declare your praises. Amen.
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