Soli Deo Gloria

I think that one of the greatest gifts that God has given us is the gift of music. Have you ever heard of a composer by the name of Johann Sebastian Bach? Bach lived about 250 years ago and he is considered by many people to be one of the greatest composers who ever lived. You might be surprised to learn that some of Bach's music is still in our hymnals today.

Whenever Bach wrote a piece of music, he always wrote the letters S.D.G. at the bottom of the music. Those letters stand for the words Soli Deo Gloria which means "To God alone be the glory." You see, Bach realized that his music was a gift from God and that he had a responsibility to use his gift to the glory of God.

Music is a very important part of our worship. The Bible says, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord."

Some people come to worship, but they never sing. They have a lot of excuses for not singing. Here are some of the excuses I have heard over the years.

"I can't carry a tune in a bucket." Sorry, but that excuse won't hold water. The Bible doesn't say, "Sing to the Lord with a beautiful voice." It says, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord."

Another excuse I hear is, "I don't like the songs we sing." That excuse won't work either. Why? Because the songs aren't for us, they are for God. Since God created the gift of music, I think He probably likes all kinds of music!

Here's an excuse I've heard many times. "I don't know that song." The Bible says, "Sing unto the Lord a new song." How can we sing a new song to the Lord, if we won't even try to learn it?

Do you know what I think? I think it is time for us to stop making excuses and use whatever musical gift God has given us to glorify Him. Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be the glory!

Thank you, Father, for the gift of music. May we always use that gift to sing and make music in our hearts to the Lord. Amen.