MAKING MELODY

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 25-26

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

This is the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. You can see Cave Number 4 in the middle where the first scrolls were found.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 25:2

Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.

Asaph, along with David and others, wrote Psalms (click here for Psalm 50). Giving thanks and worshipping the Lord was a very important element of the services in the Temple. The Psalms were the content of their hymn book. We may be sure that if they had modern technology, the words of Asaph would have often been projected on a screen so that the congregation could sing along. The words and music of the hymns and Gospel songs have endured as instruments of worship sung directly to God (e.g. How Great Thou Art). They are a form of prophecy born in the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul, who would have regularly participated in the music of the Jerusalem Temple, wrote these words: “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Some translations start this verse with the words, “Encourage one another.” Verse 21 goes on to describe the content of the singing: “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray today the words written by Fanny Crosby and then put to music for congregational singing…“Thou, my everlasting portion! More than friend or life to me, all along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee. Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, all along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.” I pray this in Jesus’ Name! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS

While writing this blog, I’ve found myself breaking out singing the hymn, How Great Thou Art! Also, I have just sung the song of personal experience, Amazing Grace. This weekend I’ll be singing the world’s most popular song, “Happy Birthday”, to one of our great-grandchildren.  I’m so happy that my great-grandchildren are learning the Scriptures by singing them. We regularly sing God Rocks songs, which consist of Bible verses. Dozens of Scriptures have been put to music by the God Rocks composer, Bruce Stacey. When I need a lift for my heart, my attitude, and my spirit, I’ve proven that “singing and making melody” is a sure remedy. Here is a link to a video of one of the God Rocks Scripture songs.

Yours for “singing and making melody,”

David