He's Singing

I heard a favorite worship song this morning: Kari Jobe’s “Singing over Me.” Love this one. Did you know God sings over you?

“The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
(Zeph. 3:17, NKJV)

Have you heard Him?

As I was worshiping this morning, I remember when I’ve heard Him singing over me. So personal. So clear. So disarming and endearing. So powerful.

What’s the connection between emotion and singing?

As a singer, I’ve thought a lot about how singers portray emotion. Emotion is what conveys the music and its message. But, as a vocalist, you have to know how to use emotion while singing. You don’t throw a lot of feeling into the beginning of a song. You hold back and let it build. What captivates us is when we believe the singer means what he or she says. Think of your favorite song. How does the singer hook you (besides "the hook")? Emotion.

Singing shows us a vulnerable side.

It’s all about the emotion.

So, this afternoon as I listened to a female lead sing over background male vocals, I noticed how “open” the men sounded. Not just their voices, which blended perfectly, but their hearts seemed open as they sang so gently, so beautifully, in keeping with the song. Another example is worship practice when we’re isolating parts and the guys sing tenor. Oh. C’mon. Beautiful, but strong. Humble and, dare I say it, vulnerable.

Like Jesus.

And like His singing. This amazing God, who is Love, sings with the ultimate open heart. Captivating us with his melody and words. Oh, to hear Him more often. Oh, to know these songs very personally.

So, how do we position ourselves to hear?

We have to listen. So often the busy-ness of life pushes Him out. We have to get alone. Focus. Step into His presence. Sing to Him. The two of you will create a duet.

We have to be tuned in. You can’t pick up a radio station’s programming without tuning to that frequency. 105.3 is not the same as 106.1. Right? The best way to tune in? Get into His presence. You’ve heard Him speak to you, now listen for His songs. I’ll say it again, the best atmosphere is His presence. Be a student of the Word, even the languages of the Word (Greek and Hebrew). Be a person of prayer. Be a worshiper. Keep a balance of these: the Word, prayer and worship. Soon you’ll know better what’s of Him and what isn’t. And you’ll discern His voice.

Our hearts need to be open. You can’t receive if your fists are clenched tight. God won’t waste His precious words on an empty encounter. A real encounter is what He longs for. Something life changing. Impactful. In order to help prepare the atmosphere, open your heart to Him. (But be on guard against the enemy who will also try to speak to you or bring up evil images.)

Jesus’s heart is ever open, ever vulnerable, ever tender. He wants to share His heart with you. Do you want to experience Him? Press into His presence. Ask. Open. Tune in. Listen.

He’s singing.

Privilege

“Blessed is the one whom You choose, and cause to come near You. That one shall dwell in Your courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.” (Ps 65:4, ModernKJV)

What a gift that God draws us close to Him. He invites you to move closer to Him.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8a)

When you accept His invitation, responding with a “yes,” He honors you and graces you with His goodness, His presence. That’s a privilege.

God is the Creator, the King of kings, the Perfect One. He is altogether lovely, beautiful, powerful, and kind. He is just and good, merciful and faithful.

What a privilege to know Him. To hear His voice. To share your heart with Him and know He cares and listens and can help. What a privilege to begin to understand His love, His amazing goodness. What a privilege that He draws us close, if we are willing.

Are you willing?

If so, just say yes to Him. Read His Word (the Bible), surrender your life and cooperate as He sets you free through experiencing Him. Attend a Bible-believing, preaching, living church. Worship Him. Let Him love on you. Be ever thankful for the privilege of knowing Him, of being near to Him.