Daily Devotion January 21

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

I enjoy music--really many different types of music.  But there is just something special about hearing music that lifts up the name of the Lord.  For me, music is one of the greatest forms of worship.  (Fortunately we don't have to be professional singers to sing to the glory of God!)  The music often sets the tone for a worship service.  More than that, thought, music sets the tone for our hearts.

Here we are told to use the psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to lift one another, to teach each other and to admonish one another.  To teach is to impart knowledge.  To admonish is to warn or to exhort.  Think of all the songs you have listened to over the years.  Which ones of those served to teach you more about God?  Which ones told you about things to avoid?  Using the words of the Psalms as songs is a very powerful way to get the word of God into our hearts and minds.  Most of us remember songs we learned in church in childhood.  Songs such as "He's Still Working on Me", "This Little Light of Mine" and of course, "Jesus Loves Me" are a huge part of my memory bank.   I remember songs from VBS and church camp that still resonate with me and bring sweet memories.

As you go through your day, listen to the type of music that can lift you up, teach and admonish you in your walk with God.