Have you watched the movie Ratatouille? The most memorable scene for me showed the food critic taking a bite of that dish which caused a flashback to his childhood when he enjoyed such a lovely meal.

Recently during my devotion time, the worship music has included songs I first heard twenty years ago. A flood of memories began to rush through my mind. I found myself recollecting a period in my life where I was filled with worry about my future. Fear and anxiety seemed like regular visitors. Yet, I felt God call me to walk closer with Him, to trust in Him deeper, and to be fully dependent on Him. When I obeyed, I had the first intimate encounter ever in my relationship with God. To say it was a wonderful time in my life is an understatement.

I read His Word, communed with our Father in prayer, and I also immersed myself in listening to worship music which just soothed me. God’s presence was tangibly all around me and I could feel His embrace. I felt assured of His love for me. My heavy heart seemed to feel lightened and I felt confident that my life was in His hands. I just had to keep my eyes on God and rest in His promises for me.

Worship is quite powerful. I think about the effect it had on King Saul when David was brought to his presence to play music. 1 Samuel 16:23 states that Saul would calm down and feel better when David played the harp, lifting the depression and torment he had been experiencing. Tommy Walker said, “When we worship … we get realigned, refreshed, and refueled.”

I don’t know where you find yourself today: maybe overwhelmed, worried, anxious, afraid, confused, discouraged or helpless. In Psalm 22, David felt forsaken by God. Yet, as we continue to read the chapter, we observe how he declares he will praise God. When you lack the words to say, turn on music that will create an atmosphere of praise to our King. Allow those sweet melodies to usher you into His presence, removing those negative feelings and replacing them with His perfect peace, His abundant joy, and His amazing love.

I have numerous favorite songs, but some include:

“When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God” (from “Still”)

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see” (from “Amazing Grace”)

“You unravel me with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
‘Til all my fears are gone
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God” (from “No Longer Slaves”)

~Joyce