Wired to Worship: A 7-Day Devotional Inspired by the Jesus Music Film and BookSample

How Music Helps Us Speak

In describing the Jesus movement, Evangelist Greg Laurie described their music as “Art as it was meant to be used—to glorify the one who gave it to us.” The Bible is rich with examples of how music is used to communicate our love for God. 

Music helps us communicate in three ways. First, we sing as a way of talking back to ourselves. Think of the lyrics of a song that has stuck with you through thick and thin, a lyric that makes you shed a tear when your soul is crushed or brings you a feeling of joy in a moment of happiness. Singing helps embed truth in our hearts: the hook, the rhythm, and the words implanted for a lifetime. 

But when we sing, we also are talking back to God. The psalmist said, “Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” Using our voices is a way we declare to God our praise, a way we give him our worship. Good music gives us words to say and melodies and harmonies and rhythms that help us creatively express our feelings for our Father. 

Lastly, music allows us to speak to ourselves and speak to God and speak a word to each other. This is especially true for moments when we gather as a group and sing, such as at church on Sunday or at concerts, or with groups of friends in the car. Singing as a communal experience allows us to declare to other saints the greatness of our God or as a witness to declare the gospel to a seeking and watching world.  

Can you think of one specific way music has spoken to your heart, or ways you’ve been able to sing music to someone hurting, or how listening to your favorite Christian artist has spoken a word in a time of need?