I have recently had some experiences with the Spirit that have boosted my testimony. I try to write my blog everyday in the hopes that when I share what I have learned it might touch an other's heart in the same way. I don't always know what I want to write about and sometimes what I want to write about is not what the Spirit wants me to write about. I have learned over the last year of my blog to listen to the Spirit.
There are times when I have written a post and months later someone will tell me that they really appreciated it and it helped them in some way. I am almost always shocked because I didn't know that they even read my blog. Now I am not writing about this to brag, I am writing this because I am learning that each of us has a bigger impact on others than we think. It is like the saying "you never know who is watching", it is true, and it is humbling. So this morning I thanked the Lord for the blessings that have come from my studying the scriptures and writing about it, especially for the support from others. I could not do it without the support!
2 Kings 3:15
"But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him." (2 Kings 3:15)
As a music lover this is one of my favorite verses in the scriptures about the power of music. There is no doubt that music can be an instrument in seeking the mind and heart of God. There seems to be a way in which music is able to soothe a person’s soul, and open up the way for the Spirit of God to work.
We caught a glimpse of this in Saul’s life. He was told that he would meet a group of musical prophets, and it was then that he would be blessed with the Holy Spirit.
"After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man" (1 Sam 10:5-6)
David’s music also had an effect on Saul’s life.
"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him" (1 Sam 16:23)
When we are filled with the Spirit, one of the results will be music in our hearts.
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:18-20).
The command is to be “filled” with the Spirit. But the grammar suggests that the things that follow (speaking, singing, etc.) are results of being filled with the Spirit.
The special gift of the Spirit in music is the reason why we sing at our church meetings:
The First Presidency said:
“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord."
“Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end” (Hymns, ix).
I think music is a good tool that the Lord can use to draw us closer to Him. We should have music in our homes that invites the Spirit and allows the Lord to share with us His desires. In our home we use music on a daily basis to help create the environment we want. I have seen music change the disposition of a family member from angry and grouchy, to humble, repentant, and willing to forgive. All from a song! Music touches the heart and brings change in a person, that just plain words cannot.
Now don't think you have to limit yourself to the church choir to feel the Spirit. There is music in almost every genre that has the ability to invite the Spirit. Have you ever listened to a classical piece of music and the hair on your arms stands up because you can feel the Lord's hand in each note? What about listening to the lyrics of a song and the beauty of the words touches your heart and brings you to tears? And these are just a few of the ways our body reacts to the Spirit in music! Think about the changes going on in our hearts and minds!
I am blessed to live in a home where everyone appreciates good music and those blessed with musical talent share it often. I love to hear the piano or guitar being played when my sons are in a reflective mood. The whole house gets quiet and you just soak in the goodness!
It is my hope that when we need to feel nearer to the Lord or we need to change the atmosphere in our home that we will look to the awesome power of music to bring it about. That like Elisha we will allow the music to bring the hand of God upon us and bless us in incredible ways.
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