Daily Devotional

I have spoken often of the relationship between Lynn and me, which began in February 1967. There were many things which bound us together: our romantic love, college classes, Fresno State sports, humor, good food and drink, along with a spirit of fun and adventure.

But one of the most essential of these was music. We were fairly eclectic in our tastes – Doo Wop, rock & roll, folk music and more. It all grew as the times changed, beginning with The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Cash, then off to Joni Mitchell, The Alman Brothers, The Beatles, Jethro Tull, Leonard Cohen and dozens of other artists and groups. Later we got saved (1976) and began to embrace the world of classic hymns, which neither of us grew up with, as well as contemporary Christian music.

God made men to sing. It has always been a curious thing to me that we do. I thrived on it growing up, though I did not really know why. It had not come through my family. I had my own little radio in my room. This whole aspect of human life has deep inner movements, which are hard to collect in a paragraph.

I have been moved in the last year or two by something I am calling the music of the Spirit. It is not just a song. I think the Lord wants to move in us as believers in a way that is more than Bible study or Scriptural principles. These must be present, also.

But the music of the Spirit in our souls is not definable that way. The word says of the Spirit that He is like the wind, which blows where it wishes.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and the Spirit
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh,
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I said to you,
‘You must be born again.’  
The wind blows where it wishes
and you hear the sound of it,
but do not know where it comes from and where it is going;
so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 
John 3:5–8, NASB

I think David played it for Saul (I Samuel 16:23). It could be what we do as we are called to make melody in our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:18–19). Sometimes things cannot be explained with words, reduced to groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). The music of the Spirit?

Part of our job is to have a listening ear for the “music” of the Lord, His word flowing beyond expression in our hearts. The greatest power of God always rests in the undefinable realm. The preacher works to put it into words. Musicians into songs. Counselors into encouragement. But however it comes, we cannot live without it, and cannot be drawn into God’s presence by intellectual pursuits alone.

The music of the Spirit is a sister to prayer. We pray to Him whom we cannot see. We listen for answers from Him who does not speak in an audible voice. When the music of the Spirit sounds in our hearts the product is changed lives, marriages & families, and businesses & ministries.

Perhaps it comes down to a spirit of worship. How do we define it? Maybe we are just to glory in it! Then, with the eyes or our heart opened, we gaze into realms unknown; clarity and understanding follow. Fruitful work of ministry unfolds before us.

Having tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), we press on with all vigor and enthusiasm. Moving forward in the music of the Spirit!

Read: John 3:1–21, Ephesians 5:1–21
Sing: And Can It Be That I Should Gain, by Charles Wesley (Thomas Campbell)

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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