April 12, Sing and Make Music

Today’s reading: Psalms 56-60

“My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn” - Psalm 57:7-8.

These verses are not particularly inspirational, and represent what one would expect from a book that emphasizes praise and worship. Yet the heading of the psalm makes these verses remarkable. David penned them while he was hiding in a cave when Saul was searching to destroy him! In the midst of the pressure and tension, David made a commitment to sing and make music. He was not going to allow the circumstances to dictate his attitude; instead, he was going to determine what kind of attitude he would have, and then follow through on his commitment. Paul imitated this response to adversity in his own ministry experience:

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:23-25).

Have you allowed your life situation to affect your praise and worship? Are you part of a local church? Are you following through on your commitments to serve the Lord in spite of any setbacks you may have experienced?