In Tune With The Lord
Music is an important part of our services as we come together to worship. Many times, an old familiar hymn can help us express what is on our hearts when we struggle to find the words ourselves. All throughout the Bible, we see how important music really is. One example is how the prophet Elisha called for a minstrel when he needed to hear from the Lord.
“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
The prophet was displeased with the king of Israel, and he was in a very unpleasant situation. From the verse we just read, it seems that he was having a hard time settling his thoughts and getting his mind on the Lord. In the middle of it all, Elisha said, “Bring me a minstrel.” The Bible does not tell us what song this musician played, but it does tell us what happened as he played: the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha.
The Influence of Music
Throughout the Bible, music had an important place in the lives of God’s people. Moses sang after the Lord brought Israel through the Red Sea, while Miriam took a timbrel and led the women in praise. David played his harp, and Saul found relief from the evil spirit that tormented him. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn before going out to the Mount of Olives. As God’s people, we are known for singing, as we focus our minds on His faithfulness.
Even outside the church, we notice how music can affect an atmosphere. A preacher friend of ours is a dentist, and he keeps gospel music playing in his office twenty-four hours a day. When we go there for dental work, the atmosphere is peaceful. Many of us also remember the little musical toys that hung over a baby’s bed, slowly turning while a gentle melody played. Even hearing someone whistle as they go about their work can make us smile. There is something cheerful about a song coming from a happy heart.
But we must also think about what happens when music carries a different message. Some songs promote anger, violence, hatred, and rebellion. A dear brother once told us that before he became a Christian, there were times when the music he listened to stirred such anger in him that he wanted to hurt someone. That testimony gives us something to think about. What are we allowing into our hearts, and what is it stirring within us?
When One String Is Out
There are so many things related to music that are connected to our spiritual lives. But there’s another aspect of music that I want to share with you today. For music to be effective when it is played, each instrument must be in tune. I play a banjo, which has five strings. Each string is tuned to a different pitch, but they work together to produce the sound the instrument was designed to make. But if just one string is out of tune, it affects the whole song. The other four may be exactly where they should be, yet that one string still needs attention.
Just like the different strings on an instrument, we as God’s people have different gifts and responsibilities. We do not have to be alike to serve in the Kingdom of God, but we must be “in tune” with each other and with the Lord.
Pride, anger, jealousy, or unforgiveness can pull our hearts out of tune. We may be doing many things right while still holding on to something the Lord has asked us to surrender. And just as one string can ruin the sound of an entire instrument, the condition of our heart can affect our family, our church, and those around us.
Is My Heart in Tune?
We should regularly stop and ask the sobering question, “Is my heart in tune with the Lord?” Am I listening to His Word and walking in His will? Am I at peace with my brothers and sisters, or am I holding on to a hurt that I need to forgive? Have I allowed things to creep into my heart that are pulling me away from the Lord? David prayed,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
— Psalm 139:23–24
What a good prayer for all of us! Sometimes the first step toward being in tune is simply stepping into God’s searchlight and admitting our own weakness. If He shows us something that needs to change, let’s say yes to His way. We may need to forgive someone, let go of our pride, or stop doing something that is drawing us away from Him. Whatever it is, let’s give it to the Lord. We want to please Him in the way we live, just as we do in the songs we sing.
Let’s stop and ask ourselves, “Am I in tune with the Lord?”