"Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things" (Psalm 98:1*)
As a child, I lived in a small house with five sisters, one brother, and my parents. We all shared many household chores – cooking, laundry, and caring for the younger children. However, my parents lightened our tasks with music. When my mother sang spiritual songs in the kitchen or my father played the guitar on the porch, the whole family would sing along. Eventually, we bought an old piano and learned to play. These songs taught me to focus on Christ when life gets tough, to talk to the Lord, and to often reflect on Scripture.
In Apostle Paul's message to the Ephesians, he encourages God's people to sing (see Eph. 5:19). He might be recalling the instance from Acts 16 when he and Silas are in prison in Philippi. At midnight, as the two sing hymns, an earthquake shakes the prison, the doors open, and their chains fall off.
Today, many years later, I listen to inspiring music at lunchtime and am filled with peace. In the late afternoon, I play the piano and find joy. On sleepless nights, I remember songs from my childhood, and they bring me comfort.
We find solace when we sing praise to God.
Link to the original article: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2023-10-07
* Bible quotes are from Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013