I will be visiting my Ohio family for Thanksgiving this year. While I’m away, I’ll be sharing some older blog posts about music…long before there was March Musical Musings or Monday Musical Musings I wrote about music. So enjoy these pieces and I’ll see you on December 2! Just in time for some Christmas posts!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

Life is a Musical

One of my favorite ways to pass time is by watching musicals. The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Easter Parade. And this is just the beginning of my list. There are all the Disney musicals my children love.

There are times when I need a good cry. It’s hard to explain, but when it’s been a while since I’ve cried, I create a situation for me to do so in order to keep from finding myself in a blubbering scene in public. So I watch Carousel. It works every time.

And to get my grandchildren interested in watching musicals, I have Pete’s Dragon recorded and we watch it on occasion.

Of course during the Christmas season, I am able to watch the best of the best musicals. White Christmas and Holiday Inn must be on my watch list.

So why is it we love musicals so much? Because of the tunes! Catchy songs like “Good Mornin’,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Money, Money, Money by the Pound,” “Easter Parade,” and “White Christmas” pull us in with their melodies and rhythms.

It’s been true for a long time. Music has been around since the beginning. And we find a whole list of songs throughout Scripture. So let’s see what musical numbers we find in God’s Word.

Moses begins our journey with his song in Deuteronomy 32:1-43. He concludes this song by telling the Hebrew nation that the words within his song were more than idle words. They were life. Moses was a great motivator.

Moses is joined by his sister Miriam and together they sang a duet after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15:1-18. They praise God for His mighty works and for His reign over the earth.

In Judges 5:1-31, Deborah recites details of the conquest Israel fought and won with God’s assistance. Her song begins with praise and ends with devotion to God. Life is victorious when God is in it with us.

We see Hannah praising God in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 for the gift of a son. She was so thrilled to finally be comforted in motherhood. “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is filled high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” (1 Samuel 2:1 – NIV) We too can use these words when our needs are satisfied by God.

Then there is David. The young shepherd who played his harp to the sheep and to King Saul. Whose anguish, requests, repentance and praise are noted throughout the Book of Psalm.

But we also see a special song by David in 2 Samuel 22:1-51 after God’s deliverance. After recalling the entire experience, David praised God. “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47 – NIV)

Solomon is much like his father in the song writing department. Another book of songs are found in the Song of Songs. From friendship to lover, this book is filled with poetic music that shows great admiration.

After the birth of John the Baptizer, Zechariah’s song was filled with praise to God. But he also sang of what John’s role would be. That John would lead the way for the coming Messiah. That John would prepare the way for Him. What joy Zechariah must have felt to know that his son would do such a great thing. It’s no wonder he was singing!

Which leads me to our final song. Mary’s song. This young, righteous woman had just been told of her role in bringing the Messiah to the world. She was up to the task. And she couldn’t keep from singing.

We find her song in Luke 1:46-55. Let’s look into her heart for a moment and gain a little understanding of what she was feeling.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-47 – NIV)

Mary’s soul and spirit rejoiced!

Music has been important throughout time. And it hasn’t stopped. The great worship song writers of our time continue to share praise music with us and inspire us to live lives worthy of God’s gift of grace.

I believe we enter into a Christian musical during each worship service. There is music. There is a story. There is a message. There are people involved who lead us to a point where we are encouraged to make a decision. And God is in the midst of that worship musical.

Are you listening to God’s song? Is He calling you to something? Repentance? Service?

And, do you have a song? What ideas are included within your song? What message are you singing for the world to hear?

I do enjoy a good musical. There is just something about a great tune and meaningful lyrics that touches my soul in a way like nothing else can. I pray that you will find God’s music in your heart this Christmas and every day throughout the year.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna