THE LORD SPOKE (June 20)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Chronicles 25-26

It's not exactly a "why didn't I think of that?" situation. Who would normally have thought to combine the military leaders with the harp and lyre players? the special forces with the cymbal section? Yet that's exactly what David did (I Chron. 25:1). The mightiest of the Mighty Men was also "the sweet singer of Israel" (II Sam. 23:1 - by the way, that chapter also contains the list of David's mighty men). It's the "tough and tender" combination that gives real balance to life.

Music can alter heart beat and brain waves. Quiet and soothing sounds help us relax and actually lower our blood pressure and other stress factors. Contrariwise, some sounds can quickly make us mad or agitated. An old Israeli soldier, veteran of the Six-Day War, once told me that for two days prior to the first battle they played martial music to prep the troops. He claimed that it made his blood boil and once the battle started, the smell of gun powder and burning flesh took over. David's own experience with Saul (I Sam. 16:23) was similar, but opposite. The soothing sounds of his harp calmed Saul's agitated soul.

Good music does soothe the soul, massage the mind, inspire the intellect, and arouse the ambitions. I think I could go on. As I write this, I'm listening to Beethoven's Eighth Symphony and it seems written for the occasion. Without a doubt, God has made us in such a way that our inner chords respond with sympathetic vibrations to music - good or bad. How important it is that we use God's wonderful creation for His glory and to produce thoughts and actions that are pleasing to Him. David used music in just such a way - for Saul, for his sheep, for the people of Israel, and for himself. We too should sing and make melody in our hearts" (Eph. 5:19).

And don't forget to thank Him for the gift of hearing.


New Testament: Ephesians 3

What do you do when you’re knocked down, crushed, hurting, and terribly discouraged? You look to God, of course! And then you hear these wonderful words:

Out of his glorious riches he [will] strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your [heart] through faith...that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)

“Filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”? How can that be? It may be beyond our understanding (“surpasses knowledge”) but it is not beyond our appreciation. He comes in and restores that which is broken, fills that which is empty, and energizes that which is run down. New life surges through the system. We may once again “approach God with freedom and confidence” (Eph. 3:12).

Paul tells us that he “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”. Do you believe it? You should!

He is able, more than able,
To accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able,
To handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able,
To do much more than I could ever dream.
He is able, more than able,
To make me what He wants me to be.