Did you realize that God was the author of music? Do you know just how powerful music can be? It’s either a force for good or evil. For a few posts I want to deal with this subject. We need to see how music fits into our worship of God.
Where did music come from? When were melodies first heard? Actually it was before man was created.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone —
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?”
Job 38:4-7
Music didn’t evolve. It came from God. It amazes me that God wanted to listen to music as He laid the foundation for the earth.
As much as we like to take credit for things, this was something that was around before we ever existed. If we have music within us, it’s because God put it there.
Music is powerful. It has the ability to grab your attention and hold on to you. Think of what the world would be like without music.
The truth is that God loves music. In fact, He surrounds Himself with music. I don’t know if there can be praise without music. I believe that Heaven is full of harmony.
On the other hand, the enemy knows just how powerful this medium can be. He has ensnared whole generations through music. My generation (the baby boomers) was caught up in the music of rebellion. The next phase was the music of violence.
Now I notice something happening in music that’s startling. The enemy’s kingdom has refocused it back to worship again – worship of self. Music is now the road to power. Just think about the draw of shows like American Idol, The Voice, and the X-Factor.
There’s something about the sung word that goes deep into your soul. It draws things out of us that we never knew were there. It can lay hold of our emotions and lead us wherever it’s heading.
Music is a spiritual force. It’s a tool that can totally change our lives. That’s why the music we listen to is so important. It’s not just about whether it makes us happy or not. What is it planting in my inner man? That’s the big question behind the music.
Music was given to us by God for a purpose. As believers we need to understand how it works. Then we will see the fruit of it in our daily lives.
Question: Do you view music as a gift from God? Do you treat it with respect as a spiritual force?
© Nick Zaccardi 2012
The Spirit and the Word 