Humanly speaking, it doesn’t make sense. Singing in the midst of trials? Despite overwhelming loss?
But the Bible is full of people singing when one it seemed there was little to sing about.
They sang through the rain
God gave Habakkuk terrible news about the consequences of Israel’s apostasy. Yet the last three verses of the Old Testament book bearing his name record the prophet singing a hymn of praise to God.
David sang through victories as well as hardships. For examples of the latter, check out Psalms 7, 9, 18, 57, 59, 89, 138, 144, and 146.
Paul and Silas were beaten, stripped, whipped, and slammed into the stocks in the innermost part of a Philippian prison. Yet we find them in Acts 16:25 singing hymns at the top of their lungs—loud enough that all the other prisoners were listening.
Last week’s blog included a link to a Christmas reenactment about Horatio Spafford and his family. When he sailed to the spot where all his children had drowned during a trans-Atlantic crossing, he penned the now-immortal hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Singing during hardships may feel like you’re singing in the rain without Gene Kelly.
Even so, let us sing!
Not because the Christmas season is upon us. Not because singing can distance us from life’s bad things for a few minutes. Sing because of WHO GOD IS.
That’s the common thread in all the examples above. All those people realized that knowing God was more important—more compelling—than the sum of their very real dangers and losses.
Can I get an “amen”?
What singing in the rain does for us
Check this out:
- Singing lifts our hearts.
Singing can boost the heaviest heart from sorrow to joy (Psalm 30:4-5). - Singing changes our focus.
Habakkuk knew he could perish in the impending Babylonian invasion, yet he focused on what he knew. He knew God and praised Him for it (Habakkuk 3:17-19). - Singing glorifies God.
Psalm 34:3
Isaiah 24:15
Isaiah 42:10-11
I admit I don’t do this as much as I should. Sometimes I wonder how I can glorify God. But singing is one way! And Isaiah 42:10 commands it. - Singing unleashes God’s power.
What happened when Paul and Silas sang ? An earthquake rocked the prison. Shackles shattered. Doors opened. And the jailer and his family all came to Christ! (See Acts 16:26-34.) - Singing leads others to trust God.
Psalm 40:3 (ISB) says, “He put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God! Many will watch and be in awe, and they will place their trust in the LORD.” Isn’t that amazing?
Who knew singing could do all that?
LET US SING!
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Which songs lift your heart? Refocus your thoughts? Glorify God? Share in the comments!
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More uplifting music videos for the season
Are you hurting? This is for you: Casting Crowns singing “Somewhere in Your Silent Night”
A personal invitation: Casting Crowns singing “Make Room“
I’ve never seen four guys play a piano all at once like this: “Angels We Have Heard on High”
And The Piano Guys controlling a fantastic light show while playing “I Saw Three Ships”
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