Healing Music in the Bible

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Saturday, July 4th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

My pastor preached an interesting message today. The theme was “Refilling our Faith,” and the premise was one that we do not like to acknowledge: life with Jesus doesn’t always get ‘sweeter as the days go by’ as the old hymn says. In fact, at times, despite our best efforts to be pious and devout, if we were truly honest with ourselves and with others, we would have to acknowledge that sometimes our faith just dwindles. Many times in day-to-day life, we just feel an emptiness inside. Isn’t this true?

Perhaps the reason stems from sickness, divorce, {vanishing bank accounts}, job loss, rising gas prices or a thousand other stressors which attack us from every angle on any given day. But the bottom line is, more often than we care to admit, we feel empty. Our faith, which is supposed to carry us on wings like eagles, doesn’t seem to even be able to lift us off the ground. (Isaiah 40:31)

How do we face it? We can deny it. Put a mask on our faces and walk around saying, “I’m fine, thank you.” We can memorize a few more bible verses in hopes that a dogmatic habit will relieve the creeping emptiness. We can go to the doctor for prescription drugs for depression or join a support group, both of which certainly have their appropriate place in health and healing. But I would like to suggest that developing our daily devotion in worship, seeking healing through music that is grounded in the bible can bring about inner peace and hope.

More than two millenia ago, the psalmist David found that music ushered in deep interaction, even intimacy, with Almighty God. Psalm 42; Psalm 62-63. As Psalm 33:18 states, the One who created our hearts truly understands our every need and emotion.

So, when we feel lonely, empty, depressed, we can acknowledge our feelings, confess our fears, cry our tears in the presence of the only One who truly understands. This, in fact, is the only solution which can set us on the road to {wellness and peace}.

During those times that we become aware of an emptiness in our heart, those are the very times when we need to draw close to God in an attitude of worship. When our faith in Jesus seems to have lost power to motivate us, not to mention move mountains, we can still go to our Saviour as a refuge and a hiding place. I have found in my own journey of faith that in these times of emptiness, if I can just press into the Lord instead of turning away, I find not only comfort and rest, but a deep sense of safety and serenity.

There are two ways that I have personally learned how to push in even when I feel unworthy, unmotivated, unspiritual. The first is to just continue reading and [meditating the Bible. When I cannot muster up desire for an intense (or even a simple) Bible study, I open my Bible to a favorite passage, a psalm perhaps, and I read just a few words. Then I allow those words to sink into my spirit, and I pray for faith, for serenity, for hope, for whatever I need. Never does the Lord disappoint. It’s something He has promised – when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

But mostly, the biggest way that I have learned to press into the Lord, to experience a spiritual connection even when my total being is drained of energy and life, is through music. I believe that music is one of God’s most precious creations; and our ability to enjoy it – or create it – can be a direct pathway into His presence.

I have been a pianist and a singer most of my life, and music has become a personal prayer language for me. It has become the easiest way for me to enter into an attitude of worship, and the Lord has used music in my life as a method of renewing and healing.

Next time you are feeling empty or are needing emotional stability, allow the word of God to minister to you and the presence of God to be in you and around you. Try listening to (or creating if you want) music that is grounded on scripture.

Jesus offers us an unending well of living water. (John 4:14) When we need to “refill our faith” we can go back to the well time and time again and say, “I need more!” Jesus answers, “Come!” Worship through music can be an avenue through which we come to that well.

Sheila Lloyd

Some ideas and expressions were taken from sermon “Refilling Our Faith” by Pastor Brad Selan of Windhaven Church, www.windhavenchurch.com

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