Praise and worship are a significant part of our expression to God. Music and song are important to us. Moses, Deborah, David, Mary among others broke out into songs of praise to God for His miraculous intervention or action in their lives. Jehoshaphat defeated a whole army with nothing more than dancing, singing, timbrels all pointed at praise to God (2 Chronicles 20).
Hebrews tells us to continually offer up the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Psalm 22 states that God is enthroned on the praises of His people. There is just something about singing praise to God that draws us close to Him, that stirs our heart toward Him. We talk about feeling His presence in worship. Expressing our praise to God through singing can often make us more aware of His presence than simply reading or praying.
But did you know that God sings over us? Did you know that His delight in us causes Him to break in song? Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
It's only natural for a parent to sing over their child. I remember when my first born was just a baby. She used to have a "sleepy song", a song she would sing to herself when she was tired. Whenever she would be fussing, startled or upset, I simply would cuddle her and hum her "sleepy song" to her. She would always calm down. At bedtime, she used to have Teddy Ruxpin doll that sang lullaby songs to her at night that helped her go to sleep. Many restless nights, I found myself rocking her while singing those songs to her. She would inevitably relax and fall off to sleep.
Sleeptime wasn't the only time I sang to my daughter. Throughout her life growing up, I sang all sorts of songs to her. Of course there was always "Happy Birthday." But I sang songs as we played or drove in the car. I often would make up funny songs just to hear her laugh or get a reaction.
God is with you throughout each day from the time you arise until, well, until the time you arise the next day. He knows what you're facing good and bad. He knows your stresses, your joys, your successes, your failures, your delights, your dislikes, your challenges, your moods, your temptations, your passions. He delights in you. He quiets your fears with His love. He rejoices over you with singing.
The next time you're facing that impossible challenge or feeling really depressed, nervous, anxious, defeated or afraid, remember this verse and imagine God taking you into His loving arms humming a soothing melody. The next time you have that great success or wonderful joy, picture God in full smile singing a song of rejoicing with you. And don't forget, God knows the words to "Happy Birthday," in fact He inspired them. When you sit before your cake on your next birthday, listen closely, because God is singing to you.
God, it's unimaginable to think that you take such delight in me that you'd sing over me. Of all the things and people in the universe, you would pay that close attention to me. I love to sing to you, but it rarely crosses my mind that you love to sing to me. I long to hear your voice in song and I will continue to praise you.