A Song In Our Heart
Good Morning,
There are many reasons to keep good music in our lives, but in Deuteronomy 31, we see a special place for music.
Deuteronomy 31:19 “Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.”
vs. 20 “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.”
vs. 21 “And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.”
God told Moses to teach everyone a song and to get it in their hearts. Then when the people get away from God, the song will testify against them and remind them where they were and how they got away from the Lord.
Several truths are found here:
1. We are prone to wander, and this includes our children.
2. There will be times of drifting and perhaps judgment from God.
3. The right music in the heart will remind us of our error.
4. When the Word of God has been forgotten, music will still be lodged in our hearts.
We must recognize the importance of helping our children learn songs about the Lord. Whether cute little fun songs or hymns, the songs will remain in our heart when our selfish will has turned us away.
Likewise, there are some songs that we do not want in the hearts of our children. As an adult, often songs from the 60s and 70s come into my mind, and with them comes the very spirit of the time those songs were learned. I have often left a store with my wife, gotten into the car, and turned on good music to get rid of the “old song” I had in my head. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
The New Testament repeats this truth. Paul urged us to have God’s Word in our hearts and to teach and admonish one another with song.
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
There is great power in music, and great value in having our children learn songs of the faith. Sing with your family as you drive, as you work around the house, and of course, keep your family in Sunday school and church where simple songs of faith fill their hearts.
Pastor