God's Presence is what We Need

“And these were the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites in the chambers, they were free of duty, for they were employed in that work, day and night.” (1Chronicles 9:33)

David had singers singing God’s praises and worshipping day and night. He had a total of two hundred and eighty-eight trained musicians and singers, all from the tribe of Levites. The Levites were the priestly tribe. They were set apart for religious duties. They were the sons of sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun. (1Chronicles 25:1) “So the number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in the songs of Jehovah, all that were skillful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.” (1Chronicles 25:7) They were trained in music, in playing instruments and singing. The instruments they learned to play were the cymbals, harps and lyres. He organized them in twenty-four groups of twelve men in each group. (1Chonicles 25:8-31)

The musicians and singers did no other work. Their work was worship music and singing to the Lord, day and night. There was continual music and singing, day and night in the house of the Lord. “And these are the men whom David set over the service of song in the house of Jehovah, after the ark had rest.” (1Chronicles 6:31)

David knew the power of worship in music and singing. In his youth, he was skilled in playing the lyre. When Saul summoned David to live in the king’s palace, David played the lyre to soothe Saul’s troubled soul. “And Saul sent to Jesse saying, Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight. And it happened when the spirit from God was on Saul, that David took a harp and played with his hand. And there was relief for Saul, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.” (1Samuel 16:22-23) In this translation it reads a spirit from God, but it was not from God because it was an evil spirit, but God allowed that evil spirit to come upon Saul. In those days they believed all things, good and bad came from God.

Music was essential in David’s worship. In the psalms that he wrote, he encouraged the people to sing and make music to the Lord. “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and pipes.” (Psalms 150:4) “Praise Jehovah with lyre; sing to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with shouts of joy.” (Psalms 33:2-3) Other psalms, just to name a few are Psalms 95:1; 30:11; 149:1; 145:7; 96:1; 68:4; 132:9; 34:1and 89:1. And many of his psalms were to be put to music or sung as David directed to the sons of Korah, Asaph or Jeduthun. In the following psalm David directs it to the chief musician to be played. “To the Chief Musician, for stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; You gave room to me in trouble; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” (Psalms 4:1) In the following two psalms, David directed them to be played and sung. “A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the House of David. I will praise You, O Jehovah; for You have lifted me up, and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me.” (Psalms 30:1) “To the Chief Musician. Concerning the Lilies, for the sons of Korah, a contemplation; A Song of Loves. My heart is overflowing with a good matter; I speak of my works to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” (Psalms 45:1)

We see how powerful worship with music and song can be through the example of David’s music which made the evil spirit that tormented king Saul leave. It was so powerful that the musicians and singers went before the armies of the Lord. Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army. “And he consulted with the people, and he appointed singers to Jehovah and praisers to praise the beauty of holiness as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise Jehovah, for His mercy endures forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who had come against Judah. And they were beaten.” (2Chronicles 20:21-22)

How can we use music and singing worship in our life? Many of us participate in worship services in our churches. There are some who don’t realize that this is a very sacred time. They come late to church thinking we’re only singing at the beginning anyway. But this time is when we prepare our souls (mind, will and emotions) for receiving what God has for us in His Word. It’s not only preparation for us, but also the entrance into the throne room. Many receive answers to prayer, healings, solutions to problems, consolation and even correction at this time. It’s a time of building that sacrificial altar of praise to our Father and God. We become like living stones making up that altar of the sacrifice of praise as priests unto the Lord. “For having been drawn to Him, a living Stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect, precious with God; you also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1Peter 2:4-5) And most importantly, it’s a time when God’s presence is manifest. “But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” (Psalms 22:3) If the Lord inhabits the praises of Israel, He more certainly inhabits in the praises of His children. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)

Praise is so powerful, we need to incorporate it in our daily life. Many sing along with songs of praise from their playlist or radio programs. This is all good. But I wonder how many of us incorporate worship music and song to bring God’s presence in a quiet time? Just as God’s presence manifests in communal worship services, He will manifest in our quiet time. God’s presence is hope, peace, wisdom and understanding and healing. We can receive what we need at this time. Praise and worship in a time of conflict or confusion, His presence will bring peace and victory. In a time of trouble His presence will bring peace, wisdom and understanding into the situation. Personal praise and worship can be very powerful and supernatural in our lives.

All in all, we see that David considered praise and worship to the Lord so important that he instilled praise and worship continually, day and night. We can incorporate personal praise and worship in times of need or trouble and know that His very presence will bring us what we need.

Let us pray:

Father God, I praise You and I worship You. There is none like You. You are God alone. You alone are worthy of all praise and glory. I thank You Lord that Your presence is manifest when I praise and worship You. You my Lord are peace and love. In Your presence Your love and peace surround me and the troubles of this world disappear. I thank You that in times of need, Your presence brings wisdom, knowledge and understanding providing a way where there seems to be no way. I thank You my Lord that in times of confusion and trouble, Your presence brings peace, consolation and assurance that all is not lost and what seemed impossible is possible. I need Your presence. Thank You Lord that You go before me and fight my battles when I stay in Your presence. I love You Lord. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.