15. But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha 16. and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches. 17. For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you.
The harpist playing for Elisha allowed him to calm his emotions, start thinking and praying, and to listen to the voice of the Lord. He conveyed that message to the kings. Elisha was desirous of sharing God's word be it curse or blessing. It was the message they wanted to hear.
There is a place for music that inspires emotions, but it is also a tool to inspire the mind with thought and doctrine. Music becomes a tremendous tool to convey truths about Christ. Music works the message into the consciousness and with rhythms instills it on the memory. Some teachers will use music to help others memorize Scripture verses. The truths of the Lord were the basis of many of the Psalms.
Worldly values are conveyed in all styles of music that affect its listeners. Be careful of what you listen to. We soon get so used to it we don't realize how it has changed our thinking.
It is important to have Christian music played at home where children are, as well as in the car and especially children’s songs too. We need to evaluate what we sing.
Do the words in a hymn or special music convey truth about God and doctrine? Many songs and hymns have lousy theology. I think of the chorus, "God can do anything, anything, anything." Well, I understand that in the context of children's teaching of the omnipotence of God, but God cannot do anything. He cannot lie. He cannot steal. He cannot go against his perfect character. He cannot accept anyone into His kingdom without repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. He cannot save people outside of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.
One young man stood up to sing and said, "the Lord gave me this song." and proceeded to sing, "all we need is love. That is the first and only thing we need in knowing Jesus is to love." Well, I don't know where he got his song, but it wasn't from God, because it isn't true to the Bible. The first and only thing we need is not love. We need repentance. We need confession. We need to be made righteous by His grace. We need much more than just love. We need self-control. We need kindness. We need patience and we need fear. If he would have sung that greatest of the commandments is to love the Lord your God and love your fellow man then that would be truth.
Application: Think about what we sing and then sing it heartily unto the Lord as spiritual worship or to others as affirmation and proclamation of our faith. Good music affects the mind with truth.
Prayer: I need Thee Oh I need Thee, every hour I need Thee. Oh, bless me now my Savior I come to Thee.
