Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 93, 1 Samuel 16

When the harmful spirit was tormenting Saul, music would refresh him. I have experienced first hand the power that music has over me. It can make me feel anxious or peaceful, excited or restful.

Lyrics, too, have such power. Memorizing song lyrics is so much easier than a paragraph of prose of a similar length. What lyrics do you want stuck in your head? A jingle from some obnoxious commercial you saw on TV last night, a song from your teenage years that you heard while you were shopping at the grocery store, or a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song?

This morning, like most mornings, I woke up with a God honoring song running through my head. It set the tone for my quiet time with the Lord and helped me to focus my thoughts on things that are eternal rather than my never ending “to do list.”

This is why my advent book, “From Creation to Christ” features two songs every day. In fact, I created an Advent Playlist on YouTube to accompany it.

For the next month, pay attention to the songs running through your head and what impact they have on your thoughts and your mood.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful gift of beautiful music. You knew what a blessing it would be to our weary souls. I pray that we would use music to glorify and honor You and to lift our hearts, minds, and souls up to the heavenly places. Help me to be careful to think about what I’m thinking about, and to take any disobedient thoughts captive, renewing my mind with what is true and lovely and excellent and praiseworthy. Please show me if there is any music that I’m singing or listening to that dishonors Your Name or that leads me into darkness rather than light. For Your glory and honor I pray. Amen.