Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of October 18, 2020

Weekly Reading: Philippians 3-4, Colossians 1-3
Passage Referenced: Colossians 3:16

Have you ever thought about how weird it would be if life were like a musical? What if we randomly broke out in song to express our situation or our feelings with one another, like a scene from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist? Or take, for instance, the popular musical Les Misérables that has inspired and moved audiences around the world since its French debut in 1980. The story of redemption and reconciliation set to music has connected to the core of the human experience and has been known for evoking strong emotions. In its most recent 2012 appearance on-screen, Les Misérables had people openly weeping in the theater.

What is it about a great story put into song that strikes us with such emotion? Could it be that we were created to sing about our story of redemption and reconciliation? I’m not suggesting we go through life singing as if we were in a musical. However, I wonder if this is the essence of what the Apostle Paul was encouraging the gathered Church to do in Colossians 3:16:

Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

The Early Church didn’t have access to the Bible like we do today. Teachings about Jesus would be passed from person to person, household to household, and church to church, through “hymns, psalms, and songs from the Spirit.” They would teach each other about the message of Christ in musical form. A large part of Christian education and discipleship was done through song. The same is true for the Church today. How else would we know that “Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had Father Abraham, and I am one of them, and so are you, so let’s just praise the Lord. (right arm)…”

We can teach each other about the goodness and faithfulness of God through songs we sing in corporate worship. As a worship pastor, I take great delight in hearing the congregation sing with me the truths about Christ. Not only are we singing to God, but also to one another. The next time you sing in church, reflect on the words, look around you, and listen to the voices. Let the message and the melody of the Gospel sink deep into your heart. – Nick Stanton

Fantine: Come with me, where chains will never bind you. All your grief, at last, at last behind you. Lord in heaven, look down on him in mercy.

Valjean: Forgive me all my trespasses and take me to your glory.

Fantine, Valjean, & Eponine: Take my hand, and lead me to salvation. Take my love, for love is everlasting. And remember, the truth that once was spoken: to love another person is to see the face of God.

From “Finale” – Les Misérables

Additional scripture references: Psalm 95:1, 96:1, 149:1; Ephesians 5:19-20