And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 KJV
I used to have a plaque that read, "He who sings, prays twice". As a child, I didn't know how true that was. For when I was a child, this verse was the foundation of one of my favorite hymns, written by J. Edwin Orr, titled Cleanse Me yet more commonly known as Search Me, O God. I didn't know back then that it was taken directly from the Bible, I just knew it touched my heart and became a prayer that I have sung countless times since.
I am so grateful to God for music. He knew. Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT reads, Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the good times, for the bad times, there's nothing like a song to draw hearts together.
It was Bob Benson who said, "There has to be a song. There are too many dark nights, too many troublesome days, and too many wearisome miles. Somewhere deep in the forgotten corner of one’s heart - there has to be a song. Like a cool, clear drink of water and like the gentle warmth of sunshine, and like the tender love of a child, there has to be a song!"
Yes, I'm so grateful to God for music - for one more intimate, powerful way to come into His presence where there is fullness of joy.
Prayer:
Father,
We reiterate the continued prayer of J. Edwin Orr, and thank You for the words You gave him to write. Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine. Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride! I now surrender, Lord, in me abide. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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