God used music to subdue the depressed, paranoid, demonic rage of King Saul. It was simple music on a small stringed instrument, not unlike an acoustic guitar, played by a young man who delighted in singing praises to God.
Some people act as if God is only interested in our minds, but God designed us to be sensual creatures -- not in the bad sense of unrestrained self-indulgence, but in the sense of experiencing the goodness of God through our senses: smelling flowers, tasting good food, looking at beauty, touching things that feel good, and listening to beautiful sounds. Good worship is sensual in that sense. We touch, smell and taste the goodness of God in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Our emotions are stirred by beautiful music.
We need to take time to tune out the world and tune into God's Word. The world is full of frightening sounds and the deafening noise of confusion and chaos. We need to listen and sing music that lifts our hearts to God. That is what Saul did, so did Elisha, and so did Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. In a dark prison cell, locked fast in stocks, and with bruised and bleeding limbs and backs, Paul and Silas sang praises out loud to God as they prayed and gave thanks to him. And out of such circumstances, God came and delivered these people of praise.
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After serving Grace Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, Bob was honorably retired on Sunday, September 27, 2015, and given the title "Pastor Emeritus." This was forty years to the day after he became their pastor.
He now works for the Presbytery of the Gulf South as...
