Wow, I love music! I really love music. There is just something about a good song that touches me. I don’t like to listen to it unless I can concentrate on it. I want to pay attention to the song, the lyrics, the harmony, the melody; I like to focus on it. I want to listen to the music, the piano and keyboard, the guitar, bass and drums. I want to envision the poetry of it, to see what the writer was seeing and trying to portray to me through the words. I really love music!

Several years ago, for my wife’s Christmas present, that is my story and I am sticking to it, I bought a surround sound stereo unit. (I promise it was for my wife, she uses it much more than I do!) What I have really enjoyed is when I have been able to locate the speakers so that you get the optimal quality sound from a song. I love it when the music is coming at me from all directions and you can hear all of the little intricacies of the band and the singers. I love to be surrounded by music.

One of the things that are really important to me in a song is the lyrics. I like the lyrics to make sense. I like them to have a rhythm. I really like them to be poetic. However, the most important thing to me is for the lyrics to have a message. It is the message of a song that really touches my heart and makes that song unforgettable.

Let me give you an example of an unforgettable message given by a song. I can’t hear this song and not be touched:

As I journey through the land, singing as I go. Pointing souls to Calvary, to the crimson flow. Many arrows pierce my soul, from without within. But my Lord, leads me on, through Him I must win.

When in service for my Lord, dark maybe the night. But I’ll cling more close to Him, He will give me light. Satan’s snares may vex my soul, turn my thoughts aside. But my Lord goes ahead, leads whatever betide.

When in valley’s low I look, toward the mountain high. And behold my Savior there, leading in the fight. With a tender hand outstretched toward the valley low. Guiding me, I can see, as I onward go.

When before me billows rise, from the mighty deep. Then my Lord directs my bark, He doth safely keep. And He leads me gently on, through this world below. He’s a real, friend to me, oh I love Him so.

Oh I want to see Him, look upon His face. There to sing forever of His saving grace. On the streets of glory, let me lift my voice. Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.

Whenever I am singing that song I begin to picture Jesus as my leader, deliverer and then with the last verse, a real friend that I really do love. I am continually touched by the words to that song. Probably as you were reading those words, songs came to your mind as well. You are reminded of songs that speak to your heart and move upon your soul as well.

The Psalmist spoke in the 32nd Psalm of being surrounded by songs of deliverance or victory. In fact as he is speaking it seems almost as if he is saying that part of his defense against the onslaught of the enemy is being surrounded by songs of deliverance and victory. They would be a part of what would keep the enemy from having the ability to overwhelm him with their assault.

How powerful is a song? Is it more than just mere words, rhymed and put to a catchy tune? Is it more than a melody, an arrangement of major and minor chords? What makes the difference? What gives a song its power? I am not at all qualified to dissect a song or give a lesson in music. However, I am qualified to talk about the power a song can have in a life. To speak of how a song can touch a heart. I am a witness of the power of a song to lift a troubled spirit and encourage a down trodden soul.

I believe a song was designed by God to enable creation to communicate with God on a spiritual level. They enable us to express the feelings of the soul to the maker of the soul. To make audible the words that would remain chained up within if it weren’t for a song. It is God’s gift to creation giving us the ability to communicate those words that would never otherwise be expressed.

I found it to be interesting the first time the words “song” or “sing” are used in the Bible is in Exodus 15:1. It speaks of Moses and Israel singing a song of praise for the delivering hand of God. The last time in the Bible that the words “song” or “sing” are used it speaks of seven angels singing the song of Moses a song of praise for the power and holiness of God. Starting and ending with songs of deliverance, power and glory to God!

Several years ago Elder Jack Yonts told me if you want to have a move of God in a service or in your life, start singing songs that speak of the blood of Jesus and of the greatness of the name of Jesus. Through the years since that occasion I have found this to be so true. When I begin to feel a bit overwhelmed I try to remember to sing a song that goes something like this:

On Calvary’s hill of sorrow, where sin’s demands were paid. And rays of hope for tomorrow, across our path were laid.

Today no condemnation, Abides to turn away. My soul from His salvation, He’s in my heart to stay.

When gloom and sadness whisper, you’ve sinned, no use to pray. I look away to Jesus, and He tells me to say.

I see a crimson stream of blood, it flows from Calvary. It waves which reach the throne of God, Are sweeping over me.

And when we reach the portal, where life forever reigns. The ransomed hosts grand final, Will be this glad refrain.

Surrounded by a song! We can be surrounded by words, by refrains, by chords and by notes of victory and of deliverance. Declaring the power and glory of God! Espousing His holiness and righteousness! Magnifying His love and His mercy! Honoring His faithfulness and justness! Surrounded by a song!

Last night we were in a wonderful service in the small church that is pastored by a good friend of mine. My brother Tim was asked to sing. The song he sang is a song of victory. He sings it often because it is a song that reminds you of a day that is coming when all of this life with all of its troubles and sorrows will be past. He sang of being homesick for heaven. It speaks of a day when we walk to the door of heaven and are greeted by our heavenly Father. As he sang this song I could also picture others who would be there to greet me, my father and father in law. Greeted by other saints that I have known through the years. Yes it is wonderful to be surrounded by a song!

Let me encourage you, when the wind begins to howl and it is screaming there is no hope, no future and no tomorrow, sing a song. Here is the title to another old one that I have used many times and the title tells you the whole message of the song. It is, “Just A Little Talk with Jesus” it will make it alright!

God Bless!