If Music Be The Food Of Love

Colossians 3:16 – And be filled with gratitude. Let the message of Christ dwell among you in all its richness. Instruct and admonish each other with the utmost wisdom. Sing thankfully in your hearts to God, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. (NEV)

I know that when Shakespeare wrote the words of today's title, he was thinking of erotic love, but, this morning, music fed my love for Jesus in a wonderful way. After my morning reading, I listened to a tape of Kenneth McKellar singing some of the great old hymns of the faith. My soul swelled within, my eyes filled with tears, and, for a few moments, I was united in faith with all the women and men who, throughout the years, have rejoiced to sing their Saviour's praise. Many of these souls not only lived for Christ but also died for Him during the years of persecution, when it was a crime to follow the true faith. Listening to the music, one can envisage covenanting men and women hiding in the glens from persecutors, singing these same words. As I rejoiced in the communion of these saints, basking in the warmth of the devotion pulsing through these hymns, I realized how blessed I am to have been introduced to so rich a fellowship. What do others do, who have never been exposed to such strengthening songs? How our hearts must go out to any who do not have this joyful and majestic music to feed their souls! Again, be resolved to share Christ's love with any whose lives our lives will touch.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for all the means that you use to communicate your love to us. We bless you for those who have been led to write hymns, and for those whose faith has passed these down to us. Especially, we bless and thank you for Jesus, who, first and most completely, has opened our minds and hearts to your amazing love. Amen.