Music Helps

Whenever the bad depression tormented Saul,

David got out his harp and played.

That would soothe Saul’s spirit,

and he would feel better

as the tormenting depression lifted.

1 Samuel 16:23

 

I don’t know about you, but I like music.  Among my favorites are Vivaldi, Sinatra, Ray Charles, just to name a few.  Music helps me think.  Music helps me feel better when I’m struggling.  Music helps!

 

Look at today’s passage…King Saul was being plagued by depression.  I don’t know about you, but when the King is in a dark mood…..it’s not going to be a good time for anyone.  But King Saul had been told that David was a skilled musician, so Saul sent for him.  When David played, Saul’s tormenting depression lifted.

 

As you know by now, I have struggled most of my life with depression.  There are days when I don’t even want to open my eyes.  There are days, I just want to be left alone.  If you have ever endured true depression, you know it’s not “sadness” nor is it “feeling sorry for yourself.”  It is physically painful!  It can be debilitating and all you want is to escape its clutches.  And music helps!

 

Now let’s jump to another passage where Jesus is talking with a man who had lived for 38 years with a debilitating issue.  Jesus asked him a very pointed question: “Do you want to be healed?”  Now, that might seem to be a rather silly question, but there are implications.  When Jesus heals someone, they are NEVER left the same way there were before.  Why?  If you had been suffering a debilitating condition and you were finally healed, would you still live as though you were still suffering?

 

When God provides us with relief, in whatever form it takes, He expects us to live as truly relieved people.  Music helps us feel better.  Music helps us celebrate life that God has given us (even if you can’t carry a tune).  The musical offering to God that our spirits raise is an amazing gift!