The first passage came from Luke 15 v.25. The story of the lost son. Verse 25 begins, “Meanwhile the older son was in the field. When he came near the house he heard music and dancing.” He discovered to his disgust that his father was celebrating the return of his wayward younger son and showing true forgiveness. The second passage was from Ephesians 5 v.19. The verses before the 19th are about people living the wrong way of life and the quote is, “Instead be filled with the Spirit, speak to one another with Psalms…sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”
Each week on Sunday morning I watch the Lillington Free Church service online and I sing at the top of my voice and am uplifted (and I hope my neighbours are too). Last week, we sang my mother’s favourite hymn which is No. 576 in ‘Rejoice and Sing’ and I have copied it below, because like most hymns there is a message to share. While I was writing these thoughts, something was telling me that the statement about only two verses in the New Testament that mention music was wrong. When I thought again, it was to ask the question, how can we rejoice without singing in Philippians 4 v.4? I’ll leave you all to ponder on that, perhaps you have an answer!
PRAYERS
Almighty Lord, In the book of Philippians we are told to rejoice always, followed by our call to be tender with other people. It promises us that the Lord is near, which is the promise we love to hear. Lord, we are aware of many people suffering at the present time with depression and fear, and even more people wondering how they will manage when their businesses are taken from them. Lord God, we believe that you are with us always and that you go through these times with us. Heavenly Father help those of us who do not have mental health problems to be gentle and caring, help us to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, so that when we find ourselves in those situations with other people your healing power will reach out to us and to those who are suffering.This hymn is a prayer which doesn’t need to be sung until we are able to worship the Lord once more with our voices of song and rejoicing. AMEN.
God’s Spirit is in my heart
He has called me and set me apart
This is what I have to do
What I have to do.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor,
Tell prisoners they are prisoners no more,
Tell blind people that they can see
And set the downtrodden free
And go tell everyone the news that the kingdom of God has come.
Just as the Father sent me
So I’m sending you out to be
My witness throughout the world
The whole world.
Don’t worry what you have to say;
Don’t worry because on that day
God’s Spirit will speak in your heart
Will speak in your heart.