Sing Praise

The book of Colossians is a letter to the church in Colossae written by the apostle Paul.  In his letter, Paul focuses on the divinity of Jesus as he reminds his fellow Christians that this divine Jesus lives in us.  As Paul tries to encourage the Colossians to understand who Jesus is, he adjures them to sing the truth of Jesus.  To put this divine Jesus deep into their hearts through spiritual songs and hymns. Paul encourages the Colossians to cultivate thankfulness in their lives and to be in tune with one another: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (3:15-16). Think about it.  The author of nearly two-thirds of the New Testament instructed his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to let the word of Christ dwell in them.  Friends, we must put God’s word deeply in our hearts.  We must memorize it. Deep roots in God’s Word enable us to draw from it quickly and often for the sustenance we need to fight the good fight, including the battle for our minds.  The battle to live free from anxiety by the peace of Christ ruling in our thankful hearts. Why thankful hearts?  Because thanksgiving is the nuclear bomb to anxiety.  Thankful thoughts blow apart anxious ones.  And thankful thoughts produce thankful hearts.  Anxiety cannot survive when thanksgiving is flowing from our songs of praise from God's Word.  Singing praise to God in the midst of a trial reminds the devil that the battle has already been won. When we know God’s Word intimately, we can indeed sing psalms and hymns with thankfulness in our hearts.  We can encourage ourselves and others as we sing together.  In harmony.  In peace.  With thanksgiving.  We sing our praises over and over again until any thought that is not in tune with the peace of Christ is taken captive and then banished from our minds.  Forever. Give thanks for these truths.  Give thanks for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit whose power equips us to seek and find the peace of Christ.  To sing peace-filled songs of praise and worship.  God’s Word sung aloud can and will drive away all worry and fear.  Try it.  Sing your heart out to God! Be thankful.  Sing praise.  And listen as you sing your anxieties away.