Music – Language of the Universe — Morning Devotions

By Chris WittsThursday 12 Aug 2021Morning Devotions with Chris WittsDevotionsReading Time: 3 minutes

What kind of music do you like? Almost everyone I know has a personal taste in music. From the time we were born, music has been part of our lives.

Mothers often sing to their newborn babies, as a means of comfort. Music has a wonderful way of expressing ideas and emotions when words fail. You can express the intent of your heart through music—even though we take it for granted today. Music fills the world we live in, from radios in our cars to music in elevators, to birds singing at the crack of dawn, to organ music at baseball games, to downloaded music heard on our portable devices.

Music brings people together

We are wired for music. The Greek philosopher Plato said, “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” You don’t have to be a musician to be in love with music. It plays a significant part in shaping our personalities and identities. Even toddlers react to music first before anything else. A life without music would be terribly boring and quite hard to fathom.

Studies have shown there is a definite link between music and your brain. Music can and does literally light up your brain. Parkinson’s sufferers have been known to feel better when hearing their favourite piece of music. Those who are stressed or anxious can be helped. Some dementia sufferers can still remember songs they loved in childhood. So it’s no wonder music has been called the language of the universe. A highway patrolman once pulled over a lady who exceeded the speed limit. Her excuse? She was listening to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and got carried away. I think she was let go with only a warning.

Great American singer John Denver once put it this way:

Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotion. People everywhere are the same in heart and sprit—no matter what language we speak, or our colour or politics. Regardless of our expression of love and faith, music proves we are the same.

Indeed, nothing like music can relieve the soul. Doctors say enjoying music can actually reduce your risk of heart disease—you feel happier and more positive about life. Can you imagine a world without music? Look at the faces of residents of an aged-care centre when an entertainer comes to sing. They thoroughly enjoy the music.

Music brings praise to God

The church has had a centuries–old history of music in its worship. The people of God in the Old Testament often sang together as an act of worship and praise to God. The children of Israel sang together after crossing the Red Sea. It was part of their lives. Today most churches join in singing as an act of praise. We don’t just listen to music as background noise—we join together and sing as part of worship.

I would say that music is a gift and blessing God has given us. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:19, “…sing and make music with your hearts attuned to God”. And in another place in Colossians he said, “Sing the psalms, compose hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit”.

Music has the potential to soothe your soul and refresh your spirit. It may be the words or the tune—it doesn’t matter. Music plays a big part in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God enlists musicians to work on his behalf. He uses music to call people to worship and to send them to war, to soothe ragged emotions and to ignite spiritual passion, to celebrate victories and to mourn losses. Music is an all-occasion, all-inclusive art form. There are followers and leaders, simple songs and complex songs, easy instruments and difficult instruments, melodies and harmonies, fast rhythms and slow rhythms, high notes and low notes.

Music can awaken the soul, lift your spirits and provide you with the motivation you need to surpass the storm. No matter what you’re going through, there is a song to help you through your tough time.