August 01, 2023

DO YOU HAVE A ‘JESUS’ PLAYLIST?

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”

Psalm 100:2 

Back when we were still in the era of burning disks, we listed down favorite titles, and made a music CD out of it. During our parents’ time, favorite songs were recorded on a cassette and played over and over while they were doing something or just plain relaxing. Now, we have the luxury of just making a playlist — PLAYLISTS even for every mood and just listen to these titles whenever we feel like it.

Now, may I invite you to check your playlists and see if there is one for Jesus?   One of my recent favorite songs is “JESUS” by Chris Tomlin. It is not new, but it really touches my heart. Here’s an excerpt of the song: 

"Who walks on the waters | Who speaks to the sea | Who stands in the fire beside me | He roars like a lion| He bled as the Lamb | He carries my healing in His hands,
Jesus..."

Then there is Himig Heswita’s “Hesus ng Aking Buhay.” A part of it goes like this:

"Saan man ako bumaling | Ika'y naroon tumalikod man sayo | Dakilang pag-ibig mo sa akin tatawag | At magpapaalalang ako'y iyong ginigiliw | At siyang itatapat sa puso."

Singing to the Lord is an act of worship, so we can feel free to blast praise or church music in our homes every morning, in the car (especially in the middle of a stressful traffic jam), and whenever we want to just praise Him and listen to His words. Let us teach it to our children and let them get accustomed to listening to it as part of their day. If we can sing funny songs, sad songs, and even meaningless songs, why cannot we sing songs that offer praises to our one True God? These songs after all are not just meant to be sung in Church.  

When Apostle Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they sang songs and spiritual hymns instead of falling into despair because of their situation. And it is during those times that the Lord rescued them: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” ACTS 16:25-26

Are you happy today? Sing a song of thanksgiving. Are you in despair? Sing a song of praise. Whatever situation you are in, worship Him, and sincerely seek Him, and things will fall into place in His good time.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to read 1 Chronicles 16:23-31 so we could dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: When was the last time you sang for the Lord outside the Church? Would you like to include singing songs of praise to Him in your daily routine?

Conversation with the Lord:  Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for the wonderful opportunities you give us to seek You and Your words. Thank you for giving us selection upon selection of praise songs we can sing to you to celebrate your goodness. Inspire us to shun the world’s negativity and instead turn to everything that is good and beautiful and pleasing to you, including singing wonderful praise songs that proclaim your never-ending grace and mercy. Amen.

Thank you for stopping by and till next post!