Do you wonder why we post music? Sometimes the power of music goes unrecognized. Without a doubt there have been moments where I felt something powerful while listening to music. In this verse, we learn that music can deny evil spirits access to the listener. David was anointed, and his music was filled with the Spirit. Evil spirits did not find comfort while David was playing, so we recognize that it has great power in driving out evil spirits. But that's not all.....
God chose to enter the temple and fill it with the His glory with musical cues: 2 Chronicles 5:11-7:6, Ps. 68:24-25. Now, the way we see it...this is BIG. This GLORY is what drives out those evil spirits. When David would play the harp for Saul, God's glory entered the room, and there was no room for the evil spirit to remain. The spirit had to flee. When you are feeling attacked turn on some anointed music, and the spirits must go. Try it!
In 2 Chronicles 20:14-28 we read about Judah, under king Jehoshaphat, was being threatened by a hopelessly large group of surrounding countries. He really was at a loss in what to do. Under the prophetic advice of one of the Levitical temple musicians, the king sent the choir and orchestra out in front of the army. Does this sound right? Send musicians out FIRST? This is a strategic move that might be questioned by MOST any experienced or maybe ANY Army General. At the very moment they began to sing, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for His loving kindness is everlasting," through the power of music and God's hand in action the armies began to attack each other; they turned on themselves!! They destroyed each other until not a soldier was left of Judah's enemy. The armies of God did not even have to go out in battle; the MUSIC fought the battle. The use of praise music to seek God's deliverance from distress is a good thing, and it works. We should use it more often.
Psalm 69:29-36
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
may your salvation, God, protect me.
30 I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
And in Psalm 32:7 we read that God protects us by surrounding us with "songs of deliverance." Psalm 40:1-3 informs us that music that focuses the mind on the goodness and greatness of God can have the effect of instilling the fear of God in the listener. There is a definite link between music and the fear of God. I (Serena) believe this was the main reason Josh was unable to play music while he was away. The only music Josh was able to play was Christian, and that meant there was POWER associated with it. In fact, thinking back, I believe this was why when I bought him a CD for his 30th birthday he was only able to listen to a portion of it. He bought music, but it wasn't feeding the God part of his heart. The power in the music and the fear of God made it impossible for him to listen and continue rejecting God. By listening to anointed music his spirit was connecting with the music. He was unable to listen and remain in sin. So, he chose not to listen to that music. Pray that your spouse will somehow be put in a position that music penetrates their spirits. If your spouse is at home, but you feel things are just not right.....have anointed music playing throughout the day.
When you are weary use music as a form of prayer. Psalm 42:8 tells us that music can be a form of prayer.
In Acts 16:23-26 we find that vocal music can release the power of God on our circumstances. Hymns are a great way to release this power. Devotional songs of thanksgiving. To decide that hymns are outdated and stuffy and no longer relevant to our "needs" is a shortsighted error. I (Serena) don't know a lot of hymns but would not make the mistake of saying they are irrelevant. Grab a hymn book and READ how relevant they really are. Power, Power, Power!
Ephesians 5:15-19
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
It's interesting that Paul referred to making music in our "hearts," not "mouths" or even "minds." He knew that music proceeds from the spirit, and has spiritual effects. Music comes from the spirit even as prayer does, this is why music can most definitely be a form of prayer. Use it! This is why some music has more HEART than others; your spirit can sense the anointing. This is not music made merely in our minds.
1 Corinthians 14:26 puts music in the same category as with preaching, prophecy, and interpretation of tongues in relation to the edification of the church. What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
Our world may seem to have changed from "Bible Times," but we are under attack the same way. The enemy is out there to destroy--most of the time you can feel it on a daily basis. Music can help us fight back during those attacks. And we (pesronally speaking) do our best NOT to waste our time listening to music that is NOT bringing glory to God, because it is empty and powerless. And we would even dare to say some can give power to the very enemy you are trying to defeat. Music is more than just sounds; it's powerful. It is a weapon for battle to destroy the enemy. Satan would like to take it and use it to his benefit. We believe all music in varying degrees, can provide or deny good or evil spirits access to our spirits, to help or harm us, to strengthen or weaken us. Therefore, let us be careful what kinds of music we choose to make and receive, both in our daily lives and in corporate worship.
Josh and Serena
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