Faith Food Daily Devotional: Sunday, 5^th May, 2013

The Song of Rejoicing Softens Hard Hearts

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”. Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon. Paul and Silas were traveling around evangelizing; they were greatly used by God to heal his people. However they were seized, severely flogged and thrown into prison. But though they must have been in great pain, they did not complain. Instead they took to singing praises to God. This must have provided great comfort and encouragement to them and all those listening to them. A lot of power was unleashed that even broke all the prisoners chains and the locks for the prison doors. “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).

Songs of praise break the chains of worldly cares which imprison us; hardening our hearts. They are a perfect way for us to prepare ourselves to hear the Word, to drive out all thoughts of our issues so that our hearts and minds can concentrate on God. Praise puts us in harmony with the Lord.

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"Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall. So sing! 

The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing." Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

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