The Ministry of Prophesying

School in the 1960’s was more experimental, arts friendly and open to a relaxed atmosphere for learning. In eighth grade I took music appreciation. O, I had grown up appreciating music through singing in church, listening to the radio or records and rocking out to the Beatles… but I hadn’t been moved deep within until I heard Ferde Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite. Suddenly, music took on a new power in my life and melody was more than toe tapping or vocal gymnastics –it was spiritual, mystic and spoke a language of the heart. The greatest songwriter of all time, King David, knew that power as he soothed the moody reigning King, Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). Later David set apart 288 skilled musicians for the “music of the temple of the Lord (1 Chronicles 25:6).” However, David first identifies their ministry as “the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals (v.1).” Prophecy not in forecasting future events but in its most basic meaning of revealing the divine will. Music is a gift from God and an integral part of our physical and spiritual design. That is, our hearts beat to a rhythm and our feet respond to a steady beat with toe-tapping body swaying delight. God has programmed us with music appreciation that moves us deep within.

So how about that church music? Without a doubt it is a prophetic voice revealing God’s will… Paul who soothed his wounds and discomfort along with Silas sang the jailhouse blues (Acts 16:25). Later he wrote of how church life needed music as divine conversation that spoke, taught and admonished (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). Music gives voice to words that exceed their conversational use and become lyrical memories that capture the essence of faith, hope and love. Music transports us to a deeper understanding of grace that now becomes Amazing Grace and how to cope with life no matter what our lot may be so we can say It Is Well With My Soul. The musical library of our hearts furnishes us with spiritual guidance to travel through this life’s journey with assurance, confidence and joy.

So, next time you gather with the Saints and the song leader initiates the downbeat… sing like the 288 with the assurance that you are part of a ministry of prophesying! Sing like you mean what you say and say what you mean. This is no time to check out mentally with, “Not this old song” or “Wow, something from the last two centuries would be nice!” Rather, sing like a prophet… a passionate, dedicated and heartfelt proclaimer of good news and God’s love! And if God has gifted you to be on tune that would be nice as well. -DAN