Life is full of ups and downs, uncertainties, issues, and situations.  But in every one of them, God gives me peaceful consolation that when I sing praises to Him, He hears me and rejoices over me.

A Universal Language

Music is one of our love letters to God, and also His love response back to me.  Christian praise music is the exterminator of the enemy of our souls.  When we sing praise or keep praise music playing in our houses, cars, workplaces, or anywhere else, the atmosphere changes for the better.  It is my firm belief that praise music chases away any foul spirits that are in our midst.  The Lord inhabits our praises, and when praise is going on, Satan cannot stand to be in the same place where the Lord of Hosts dwells. 

Christian music can calm a crying baby, ease a broken heart, soothe a troubled mind, open a closed mind, relieve a wounded spirit, comfort a grieving soul, speak peace to a sick body, disarm a combative person, defuse an angry person, captivate a longing desire, break down the walls of prejudice and injustice, set the atmosphere for worship, and speak messages of hope and encouragement to all of our hearts.

Singing will help your worries and anguish fade away like bubbles that succumb to still water.  Singing will make you wonder why you were so mad.  Singing can turn your adversary into your friend.

I didn't know how important music was in my life until I had hardships and regrets.  But I learned to praise my way out of every situation.  Some situations last for years and years, but if you can sing, hum, play music, or listen to it, your world will be an easier place to face your problems and work out your dilemmas.

Music is indeed a universal language.  The tunes and often the words of great church music are recognized all over the world.  I've visited many foreign countries, and everywhere I've gone, I've heard people singing (often in their native tongue) "Amazing Grace" as well as other hymns that are old and familiar to me. 

I visited a village in South Africa several years ago, together with the ladies I speak with at the Women of Faith conferences.  In one South African setting we participated in the mourning tradition of sitting with the bereaved and singing and praying with them.  When we began to sing the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul," each of the mourners joined in, singing either in English or Zulu.  It was a stirring moment of harmony, comfort, and even joy at the blending of nations in one accord with music. 

Praise Moves Heaven

I've learned in my sixty-five plus years that music is not only a universal language, it is also heavenly language understood by the God who made and ordered praise, the God who deserves all our praise, the God who is moved by our praise.

One of the most powerful praise stories is found in the book of Acts when Paul and Silas were in jail: