Pirates, Britney, and the Songs of the Faith

Music can be used to accomplish a lot of good things.  Music can set a romantic mood at dinner or inspire people to dance at a wedding reception.  Music can even save people from pirates.  Yes, it is true.  Music saves people from pirates. 

           

Fox News reports that cargo ships traveling the Arabian Sea ward off pirates by blaring Britney Spears songs.  Evidentially, pirates in the Arabian Sea hate U.S. music and popular culture, including Britney Spears.  Cargo ships have been playing Britney’s music in order to keep pirates away and it has worked. 

While few of us will ever need to ward off a pirate attack, we do need help with spiritual attacks.  Our faith can be tempted, challenged, and discouraged on a daily basis.  It is important to know that music helps with those types of attacks too.  When challenged, we can turn to the songs of the faith.  We can sing, “Great is Thy faithfulness…morning by morning new mercies I see.”  Or, we can hum, “I need thee, oh I need thee.  Every hour I need thee.”  We may not easily recall the exact words of scripture or the three points of last week’s sermon, but we can remember a song.  Songs can help us focus on God when we are tempted not to.

Psalm 47:6 says, “Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.”  Over and over again, we are told to praise God with music.  I think the Psalm writer stresses the importance of singing praise, because it is an easy and practical way for God’s people to keep focus on Jesus - especially during challenging times.

As obstacles rise this week, sing praises to God.  Sing of His goodness.  Sing of His mercies.  Declare His faithfulness at the top of your lungs or under your breath.  Join the praise band at church, the singers on the radio, and sisters and brothers at Growth Group.  Sing praise to God.  As you do, you will find a great source of encouragement and joy in a world full of spiritual pirates.