Music is a reflection of the character of God. It shows us the various emotions that God has and the various attributes of God’s character. When you listen to a Chopin etude, you can be amazed at the complexity of the human mind, which was fashioned in the image of God’s mind. When you listen to the aggressive sounds of Demon Hunter, you can be reminded of God’s vengeance against sin or His jealousy for our praise. When you listen to the soothing sounds of a Starflyer 59 song (perhaps No New Kinda Story), you can be reminded of God’s eternal peace and that nothing takes Him by surprise.
Think about the vast amount of attitudes that are displayed through music! This wide array of reflections of God’s nature should serve to remind us that God is far above our comprehension and much more complicated than we sometimes view Him. There’s a reason people like to use the phrase “God works in mysterious ways.” Consider this story from Elijah’s life and what it teaches us about the nature of music and it’s ability to reflect God’s character. (Taken from 1 Kings 19:11-13, ESV)
11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.[a] 13 And when Elijah heard it,he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God was strangely absent from the great wind and the earthquake and the fire. Instead, He spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice. At this time in his life, Elijah needed to hear from God in a particular manner. Of course, God could’ve spoken to Elijah in any fashion He chose. But He knew Elijah needed to hear from Him in a still, small voice.
When God speaks to me through music, I find that He is strangely attune to my inner workings. Out of His unlimited array of voices, so to speak, He chooses the voice and attitude that best communicates with my soul. At times, He chooses to shout through loud, angry music. At times, He chooses to speak through calm music. Sometimes He even chooses to speak through goofy music (Weird Al comes to mind) and yet at other times, He speaks through silence and uses no music at all. sometimes He chooses to speak through great pictures
*And sometimes He chooses to speak through great pictures like the one above. Elijah presumably sat in a chair at least as manly as this one while listening to all the commotion going on outside his den.
How awesome is it that we have a Father who knows us so intimately that not only can He communicate the message we need to hear, but also do it in the manner in which we need to hear it!
