The Blessing of Singing Spiritual Songs
Every believer in Christ must come to terms with the reality of the spiritual realm. There is the physical realm where science is only capable of measuring; then there is the spiritual realm. This realm of the spirit is much higher than the physical. Activities that go on there have a great effect on the material realm we live in. Not every natural disaster or tragic historic event solely has a physical bearing or cause. So many epochal things stemmed from the higher realm of the spirit. That being said, a material minded person wouldn't be able to understand spiritual things. It appears foolish, which is understandable because these things can only be discerned with the spirit.
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I Corinthians 2:14
What Are Spiritual Songs?
One of the things of the spirit that every Christian should understand is the practice of singing spiritual songs. What are spiritual songs? For a Christian, they are simply songs that are inspired by the Spirit of God in you. The Bible recorded what Job said about this kind of songs:
"But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night," Job 35:10
In the New Testament, Paul also wrote about to the relevancy of this kind of songs and its importance in the prayer life of every Christian.
"What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding." I Corinthians 14:15
He made mention of singing in the spirit, in the same way as praying in the spirit. Prayer is important and must be performed frequently in order to engage in a good conversational relationship with your Creator; however, singing should not be taken lightly either. It is just as important. The book of Psalms says:
"Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds." Psalms 149:5
Just as spiritual songs can be used for praise and rejoicing, some songs are even considered to be prayer. David understood this principle:
"The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life." -Psalms 42:8
The song of God was referred to as a prayer to God also. Spiritual songs are powerful tools in the spirit realm. When they are sung, the singers engage spirits; be it God, angels, demons etc.
This is why in other spiritual religions and ancient traditions, songs are sang in a form of a chant to invoke gods, spirits of the dead etc.
Power of Spiritual Songs
These spiritual songs, when sang, can trigger miraculous means of deliverance in times of peril. The book of Psalms declares:
"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah" Psalms 32:7
A similar statement was recorded in the Book of Isaiah:
"Let them give glory to the LORD, And declare His praise in the coastlands. The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies." Isaiah 42:12-13
When His songs of praise are declared, He rises up and prevails against His enemies. I will show you two instances in the Bible where songs of this caliber, delivered its singers.
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The Story of King Jehoshaphat
When Jehoshaphat was king, he received really bad news that the Moabites, Ammonites and their allies were charging towards his nation for war. He knew that his people were totally outnumbered, so he sought God in prayer. God then assured them that He will see them through and go with them into battle. Jehoshaphat did a really strange thing. He made the singers and instrumentalists lead the army into war.
"And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: 'Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.'" II Chronicles 20:21
As they sang to Him, God went ahead of them and won the battle single handedly; delivering them from the hands of their enemies. By the time the army got there, no one in the enemy camp was alive.
"So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped." II Chronicles 20:24
King Jehoshaphat's Battle
2. The Story of Paul & Silas
The great minister of God, Paul and his buddy Silas were arrested and placed in jail for the gospel. At midnight, they began to pray, and sing praises to God; then something incredible happened:
"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed." Acts 16:25-26
The singing caused a great earthquake which released everyone. The prison doors opened, and the chains that held every prisoner loosened. Spiritual songs have the ability to move God to cause that effect. However, Paul and his folks didn't escape. They chose to remain and in the end got the jailer and his household saved. They were released afterwards.
The Jail Time Story of Paul & Silas
Paul and Silas knew how stir up divine energies through singing. Paul had noted that he sang in the spirit frequently (1 Corinthians 14:15). By their singing, the power of God was manifested both to deliver and to wrought salvation. Paul and Silas are no different from you and I. We are all children of God; and this privilege is available for all of us to make use of. Always endeavor to sing with this understanding. A song should not be sang just because it feels good to the ear. When sang in the spirit, it can do so much more.
