Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11
Testimony
The whole course is exceptional very relevant to me. I have gone away with a lot to think about. I have learnt that I don't have just to cope and be so independent. God is good & loves me, even me!.... Read More...

Seeds of the Kingdom

Sing for Joy

by Paul Watson

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord…
Ephesians 5:19, NIV

On a recent day off I was on a motorcycle trip to explore some roads in Western Australia, and was enjoying a lunch break at a pie shop. By the tables in the outdoor eating area a man was playing a small harp, and the music was delightful. It really added to the enjoyment of my meal. Later that evening I was particularly thrilled when my daughter began to sing with her little 21 month old daughter. They were singing some songs from little Ava’s favourite DVD. One song has a line that ends with ‘set them free!’ which Ava sings along to in perfect pitch and with a gigantic smile. My heart soars as I hear her sing “set them fwee” in her cute little voice.

Singing and music are gifts from God that somehow have the ability to touch our human spirit. Music appears throughout the Bible in many contexts – national ceremonies, informal gatherings, to calm an irate king, to lead the army into battle.

Our passage today invites us to sing and make music in our hearts. For many that is a relief – make a joyful noise could better describe the actual sounds that many of us make when we sing! But it’s a heart response, not based on virtuosity on a musical instrument or having the voice of an opera singer.

The final part of the verse indicates both the reason for singing and the One whom we are ultimately singing to. The Lord gives us a reason to sing. The Psalms are essentially songs. They contain praise – acknowledging what God is like and what He has done. So, for example, the Psalms invite us to sing of His strength, His great love, and His justice. (Psalm 59:16; 89:1; 101:1). Individually, and together, we allow our voices to resonate with our hearts – ‘my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’ (Luke 1:46-7).

Today, let’s sing and make music in our hearts to the Lord!

Prayer: Father, Your love for me is amazing. You even rejoice over Your people with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I want to sing Your praises with all my heart.

Paul Watson At the end of 2020, Paul stepped down from his role as Centre Director of Ellel Pierrepont in the UK, and with his wife Diane, returned to live in Western Australia. They are enjoying having a break and spending time with their family. Paul and Diane are still on the Board of Ellel Ministries Australia.

 

Sign Up Now

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.