Have you ever wondered why music is such an important part or worship? The Lord gives a “theology of music” to Moses in Deuteronomy 31:19-22. He tells them two things that we all know is true: 1) Songs touch the heart (v.21a), and 2) Songs stick in our mind (v.21b). In other words, songs a way of piercing us in a way that mere words cannot and songs have a way of sticking with us in ways that mere words do not.
How many times have you heard a song that brought you to tears? And many of you can remember the words of songs 10, 20, even 40 years ago even though you have not heard them since then.
Moses was instructed to teach the Israelites a song – an unforgettable song – that would proclaim the greatness of God, that would steady their hearts in the middle of hardship, and that would draw them back when they were far away. This is what music can do.
I am a terrible singer. And yet I have often fancied myself as songwriter. I have written dozens of songs over the years and even put them to some simple guitar melodies. You will never hear them on The Voice being sung by the amazing Katie Basden ( by the way… tune in this week as she enters the knockout rounds) – but they have helped me over the years to express my heart to God in ways that prose does not. Here is one such song ( taken from Ephesians 1:1-14)… you can make up your own melody to go with the words.
Glorious Grace
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
He chose us in Him to be holy.
We are His sons, we are his loved ones
And it’s all to the praise of His glorious grace.
According to the riches of His grace we’ve been redeemed.
And His perfect will is no more a mystery.
Christ is our head, through Him we’re fed
And it’s all to the praise of His glorious grace.
(chorus)
Glorious grace, God’s glorious grace.
We’re wrapped up in the arms of a Father’s embrace.
Glorious grace, God’s glorious grace.
We sing out our praise to His glorious grace.
We were marked in Jesus on the day that we believed.
We received His Spirit who is now our guarantee.
Now we all are heirs of wealth beyond compare
And it’s all to the praise of His glorious grace.
(chorus)