Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19 KJV
Speak to yourself in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. How many Christians are speaking to themselves with psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs? Are you dry and thirsty in your daily walk as a Christian? Have you gone numb or maybe you are paralyzed from seeking God further? Maybe you just do not fill like worshipping our Great God. Something has happened that closed your soul from reaching out to God. How does one get back to the joy of worshipping God? When Covid-19 came on the scene churches across the U.S. had to disband the gathering of believers for worship at church. This had devastated many Christians who were used to gathering every week, and sometimes for more than one service. Having been a worship leader, I know that there are people who come just for the worship, especially the younger generation. Even musicians suffered because they had no outlet to express themselves.
What can we learn from this experience? First, we must go back to what the Apostle Paul taught. No matter what the situation, one requirement for a Christians today is to pray always for those within the body of Christ [see Ephesians 6:18]. But let us step back and consider what happened to the Apostle Paul and Silas in chapter 16 of Acts. Paul had cast out a demon from a maid and was accused of teaching unlawful customs. Both Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into jail. What did Paul and Silas do? At midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God [see Acts 16:25]. When they prayed and sang praises to God a miracle happened. An earthquake rocked the foundations of the prison and the doors opened and the bands around there feet were loosened. Read the rest of the story. This is an example of what we as Christians should be doing in our home. Personal prayer time and singing praises unto God.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:18-20 to speak to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. If your church records the worship service, ask for a copy of the service. I used to get copies of services that blessed me in some way, and I wanted to hear the message again. I have boxes of cassettes from pastor’s messages that have greatly blessed me. Some with the worship and special music recorded. Some churches are still doing this but may have upgraded to putting the messages along with music onto a CD. This keeps a person contemplating on the message and continuing to worship by listening and singing along with their headphones on. I have worn out tapes by playing them often, but a CD is less likely to become worn out. Some churches are using podcasts where you can view services online. You may ask your Pastor to consider having this available to his congregation.
I found it interesting how the wording had changed a little in Colossians 3:16 where Paul stated, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” The word of Christ is to dwell in you richly in all wisdom, and this is done through helping each other to listen to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The importance of having a personal time in prayer and or singing to the Lord is particularly important especially during hard times. Just think, a miracle could be just around the corner for you as God manifest himself by opening doors that you may have never thought of. Get yourself into a routine and sing and make melody in your heart to God. Do not harden your heart, come before his presence with thanksgiving and praise. If you are one of those people who say you cannot sing, then read your psalms and hymn book. Speak to the Lord a psalms, hymn, or spiritual song.
Tom Kraeuter, author of “The Worship Leader’s Handbook,” stated that worship “must become part of the everyday life of believers to be valid. A life full of worship and praise has tremendous impact on our daily struggles.” Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink, [see John 7:37].” Jesus also stated that “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” [see verse 38 of John 7]. If you are dry and thirsty, ask God to allow the living water, which is the Holy Spirit, to begin to flow through you. Get away by yourself and take that quiet time and offer up your sacrifice of praise to God. Ask God to remove any blockage in your heart that would keep you from offering up your praise. O taste and see that the Lord is good. May the fruit of our lips continue to give thanks to His name.
There are so many new worship songs to choose from. Choose one that has a personal meaning for you and sing or speak it to the Lord. One of my favorites is by Andy Park titled, “Holy Love.” I have sung this song at a men’s homeless shelter in Seattle. These men that came into the mission were tired and weary from work, seeking medical assistance, and searching to find an apartment. The shelter is just a temporary place until other lodgings could be made to be more on a permanent basis. We all need to sit in the presence of the Lord and allow His Spirit of His love to flow through us. Watch this video with an attitude of worship to the Lord.
