As You Sing

Text: Colossians 3:15-16 Theme: There are certain prerequisites before we open our mouths to sing. Key verses: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish…and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (v. 15-16) What God said to me: Dwayne, you should never open your mouth to sing to me or for me without first meeting these criteria. Look closely at them. First of all, you are to let Christ’s peace rule in you. Check your heart. What is ruling you? Do you maintain my peace at all cost to your fleshly wants and actions? Are you determined to “keep the peace” you have with me? It is a fragile peace that requires death to your self and obedience to me. The peace I give you is the calm assurance I am in charge of your life and that will prompt you to sing. Then Paul says to be thankful. Not only must you be at peace through holy living, you must also be grateful through humble living. Never allow yourself to think for a moment that you deserve anything I have given you. Yes, you are my precious child and yes, I love to lavish you with blessings. But not because you have earned them. All you have that’s good has come from my gracious and merciful hand. Make sure you are truly thankful before you open your mouth to make melodies for me. Finally, be sure my Word abides in you, envelopes you, consumes your thinking at all times. Meditate on it day and night. Paul uses the word “richly” to describe the level of quality and worth my written Word should have to you. I am not interested in hearing the words of your songs if you are not interested in hearing and obeying the words in my Bible. It’s that simple. As you sing, as you teach, as you admonish, as you praise me with your lips, be sure it flows from a heart filled with peace, gratitude and meditation on my precepts. What I said to God: After the way I threw Your name in the dirt and trampled your blood yesterday, I am even more amazed at your mercy and love to speak to me so clearly today. Truly Your mercies are new every morning! Thank you for forgiving me for allowing my thoughts to run astray if even for the few moments they did yesterday. I sit here forgiven and filled once again with Your awesome and powerful Holy Spirit. Praise You, my Lord! I sing because there is an empty grave. I sing because there is a power to save. I sing because your grace and love is real to me!