Singing and Making Melody

by Zeke Flores

Have you ever heard musicians practice?

There’s usually a period of tuning and warming up before they start playing. Every instrument is being plinked and plucked, tapped and tweaked in order to be in tune with the others. But goodness, what a racket that is! With a variety of instruments all being calibrated to different degrees, it sounds just like what it is, a hodge-podge of noise. And if one or more of the instruments is just slightly “off” when they begin playing, it’s quickly noticeable. But what sweet music they make when they’re all in tune and in sync!

Our singing to God is like that. Sometimes we can be out of tune; that is, there may be some distraction, sin, or stumbling block that keeps us from being completely in line with God’s will. And when one Christian is out of whack with the rest of the group, it has an effect on everyone. The results of our concerted efforts aren’t what they could, or should, be.

So, Spirit-inspired Paul reminds us that our offering to God is done with dual instruments: the voice with which we make our praise heard, and the heart from which our devotion springs. That’s why God’s people today don’t use mechanical instruments in their worship of God. He’s not looking for an artificial orchestra, but a sincere symphony of hearts and voices in tune with His will. So, tune up and let’s make some music.

"Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father" (Ephesians 5:18-20).