The Power Of A Song

Did you ever get a song stuck in your head?

The power of a song, the lyrics can echo over and over in our thoughts. Sometimes you hear a song for the first time and you go find it online, download it and listen to it a million times! The power of a song speaks to you in ways that simple words cannot. It stirs emotions and memories. That tune gets stuck in your mind and you’re continually humming it. It brings peace to chaos, comfort to sorrow and joy to a celebration.

Martin Luther said “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits…..”  I agree that music is an absolute treasure and we place a lot of value in it’s incredible therapy. D.L. Moody prayed for a song leader for 8 years to help in his ministry. Ira Sankey sang “There is a fountain filled with blood” at the end of a preaching service and Moody knew he had found the answer to his prayers. They formed a beautiful partnership in a ministry that brought thousands to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Many of the hymns we sing today were written as the result of great sorrow. Horatio Spafford was a wealthy Chicago lawyer, with a wife, a son and 4 daughters. His young son passed away and then much of his real estate in Chicago was destroyed in the great fire that destroyed much of the city.  He scheduled a trip on a ship to Europe for his family for a much needed break from their tragic losses. He was detained on business at the last moment and his family went on without him. The ship was in a collision and his 4 daughters died. When he was on his way to meet his grieving wife he wrote the words to the song “It is well with my soul”. I believe he had a true revelation of his soul. Although he had suffered such tragedy in his life he recognized that his soul was eternal and unaffected by the circumstances in this life. I believe he knew he would see his precious children again  in eternity. Every time we sing that song, it moves me. What incredible loss this man suffered but he could still look to his God in gratitude.

John Newton was raised by a godly mother but she passed away when he was just a young child. His life sank deeper and deeper into sin, he said he was capable of anything.  Then a frightening storm caused him to call upon the Lord. He began to turn towards the Lord and became one of the greatest evangelical preachers in British history. He literally wrote hundreds of hymns. I believe his most famous is “Amazing Grace “. A true testimony of all the Lord had brought him through. It was originally called Faith’s review and expectation.  I also found a verse I’ve never heard before:

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

the sun forbear to shine

But God, who called me here below,

shall be forever mine.

It’s  so beautiful. God reaching down and saving us from ourselves.

D.L Moody recognized the power of a song. He knew that a sermon would be heard and bits and pieces would be remembered.  A song however, would be sung over and over and the message in the song would continue to minister. We are singing songs today that have been sung by millions throughout the ages and the power of those songs continue to bless us.