Meditation

Meditation for 11/21/2019

“These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of he Lord after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.” (1^st Chronicles 6:31-32)

Know one knows when music began to be used in worship. The record of elaborate musical arrangements in this chapter, led by king David himself, reveals the prominent place given to music in Israel’s worship. The Book of Psalms records much of the music of Jewish worship. Many songs were sung antiphonally (one group answering another group in song). Various types of musical instruments accompanied worship. No doubt music in worship has done much to guard the vitality of worship against the deadening effects of formalism!

Music expresses the emotions of God’s people as they worship Him. Music was important in the worship of the early church. When the disciples celebrated the first Lord’s Supper, they concluded their worship with a hymn (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). Singing characterized the dramatic worship experience of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail, as well.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, our worship of You is enhanced through music, which allows our emotions towards You to come to the forefront of our minds. It is a special way of expressing our love, our appreciation, and our respect of You and all that You have provided for us in our lives and the generations before us. It is our way of opening our hearts to You for all times, and allowing You to reside within us as no one else ever could. In Jesus we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Life is a journey—God is the navigator—Trust in Him Always.”

KNOWING GOD:

“The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord.” (Isaiah 38:20)

Hezekiah promised to praise God in Temple worship accompanied by music for the rest of his life. Such vows are a common part of worship celebrating or looking forward to God’s deliverance.

I AM:

“Worship, Music:” (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Music played a prominent role in the worship of he early church. Praise and thanksgiving were expressed through music. The early church learned to worship God with thanksgiving for everything. A grateful heart is necessary for effective worship.

Second Thought of the Day:

“When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30)

The “Last Supper” had just been finished and hey sang a psalm to conclude, for Jesus and His disciples were about to move from the Upper Room to the Mount of Olives, as Jesus felt compelled to pray. This was not unusual, but what he said next was.

Jesus knew the events that were about to take place and why they needed to be in at the Mount of Olives, and so did Judas. Jesus often would go there to pray, but on this night He made a statement that startled the disciples. He said, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of he flock will be scattered.’ “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”