Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19)

I love to whistle.  I do it a lot, often with out even thinking about it.  When my wife and I go shopping,  if we should go our separate ways in a store,  she can always find me by the sound of me whistling.  When I am working in my yard, riding a stationary bike, or driving our car.  I find my breathing adapts to the rhythms of whatever song is going on inside of my head.

This may seem trivial to some–especially the whistling.  Others may think of it as a distraction.  But I was reminded by a devotional in “The Word for Today” that music can be a form of prayer, an expression of joy,  or of thanks giving.  All it takes is to invite Jesus to listen in.

It can happen when you are in a tough situation,  when Paul was in prison he sang.  But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:24-25).  It was an instruction to the church  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16).  Paul never said that only those who have good voices may sing to the Lord.  In a letter to the Corinthians,  he says, 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)  It is indeed for all of us when we gather together to worship Him,    And we won’t be the only ones praying.  in Hebrews 2:12, Paul quotes Jesus as saying, I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.

So, if you always have a song in your heart, you will find it easier to rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:16-17)

Even when we whistle.