Music from the Heart
When my oldest son and I entered church on Sunday, February 3, 2013,
the worship service had already begun and the presence of God was so
strong that it was almost tangible. During one of the songs, I found
myself closing my eyes, reveling in God's presence. And then, suddenly,
I was no longer in the church at all! Instead, I found myself encircled
by clouds! Something was definitely going on!
I couldn't help but
anticipate what would be forthcoming with great joy, but as everything
turned black in my mind, my eyes snapped open once again. I knew God was
about to reveal something, but I didn't feel quite ready.
After
praising God for a little while longer, I again felt the impulse to
close my eyes. This time I saw a heap of rocks covered with snow. As I
watched, the mound began to grow. It continued to mushroom until it was
so big it seemed to touch the heavens. I felt like I was on holy ground.
Eventually the mount opened up, revealing to me a passage that led
to its very heart. I looked around for a moment, but as it seemed to be
beckoning to me, I entered in. It closed up immediately behind me, but
even though I was now surrounded by darkness, I could dimly see movement
at the top of the mount. Then, as I watched, the top split open, and I
found myself staring straight up into the clouds of heaven.
Even
though I didn't know the words of the specific praise songs that we were
singing at the moment, the lyrics began pouring forth from my mouth, and
as they did, the clouds began reacting to the words of praise, moving
harmoniously with the melody, showing a spectacular display of total
happiness.
Heaven was responding to our worship!
I didn't
want to leave this outstanding spectacle of pure joy that was being
demonstrated by the heavens, but God had more to show me. A little light
began to grow brighter and brighter as God began manifesting His glory.
Before I knew it, His light blinded me completely.
And then I
found myself back in church.
I have never experienced such
splendor, but then and there I realized that I had just experienced how
heaven reacts to our worship of God through our praise songs. They
aren't just catchy tunes and poetic words! When sung from a longing
heart, these songs have a definite impact in heaven!
In case you
think that sounds a bit strange, remember that this is confirmed in the
Bible numerous times. I would like for us to focus on just two Bible
texts for now, as we prayerfully consider the importance of our worship
service to the Lord:
"After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat
appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of
his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give
thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.' As they began to sing
and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and
Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." (2
Chronicles 20:21-22, NIV2)
"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, always giving thanks to
God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Ephesians 5:18-20, NIV2)
I wonder why we tend to be so morose
when things don't go our way. Shouldn't we, instead, be worshipping God
with all of our energy, praising Him with all of our hearts? For He will
truly lead us through these dire circumstances! Instead of dread,
shouldn't we anticipate what God will be doing next? With praise from
our lips, let's meet Him. Let's adore Him.
Unless we prefer to
remain in our dire circumstances, that is, and thus we will have
definite reason to mope...
A praise song is not just a song. It
is our way of demonstrating that we trust in God, that we have a reason
to rejoice. He will see us through!
Do you believe that?
Rob Chaffart
