Music to Our Souls

 

 At that very moment the Spirit of GOD left Saul and in its place a black mood sent by GOD settled on him. He was terrified. Saul’s advisors said, "This awful tormenting depression from God is making your life miserable. O master, let us help. Let us look for someone who can play the harp. When the black mood from God moves in, he'll play his music and you'll feel better.” Saul sent word back to Jesse: "Thank you. David will stay here. He's just the one I was looking for. I'm very impressed by him.” After that, whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted. 1 Samuel 16:14-16, 22-23 (The Message)

 

Saul was very depressed- things weren’t going well for him.  God had decided that He had made a mistake in choosing Saul to lead His nation. God didn’t really leave him however Saul felt deserted by God and was saddened. He had sinned against God and lost his faith.  Ironically, the person who was able to make Saul feel better was the very person that God had chosen (over King Saul) to lead Israel. David was beautiful inside and out, he had talents that God had given him for soothing the savage beast with his harp- and it worked to calm Saul as well. Through David, Saul was able to see the beauty of God’s love and for a little while was appeased.

 

How many times in your life have you been saddened by the events taking place and felt like God is not listening to your prayers? You pray and just about give up, then you hear a song, smell an aroma, or see a sunset- and it reminds you that God is always in everything around you.

 

God is constantly listening to your prayers.  The response you get may not be what you were expecting or hoping for, but it maybe what is needed for the bigger picture. Saul had prayed that God would find favor with him again, however he was corrupt and used his power for his own purposes.   David was chosen to lead Israel on behalf of all of God’s people- he was just a simple shepherd not a king but he had a pure heart.

 

Dear God- Keep our minds open, that we may understand your purpose and keep our ears open that we may listen for your voice- which is music to our souls.  Amen.

 

Denise Clayton

jcdckc@verizon.net