I was reading yesterday in 2 Kings 3 and took notice that Elisha said, " . . . bring me a musician. And, when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him." Throughout scripture we see God using instruments in different circumstances to accomplish His purposes.
In 1 Samuel 10 we see the Prophets coming down with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them prophesying. Then it talks about how the Spirit of the Lord would come mightily.
I Samuel 16 speaks of finding a good musician to play the harp whenever a tormenting spirit troubles one, making one well again.
In I Chronicles 13 folks are found celebrating before God, singing and playing all kinds of instruments. In I Chronicles 25 we find men making music in the house of the Lord responsible for serving, including the playing of instruments.
The Lord instructs the using of instruments in dedication of the new wall in Jerusalem with thanksgiving. Of course throughout the Psalms we see instruments being used in praise and thanksgiving. We also can see in Daniel 3 and Amos 3 how instruments can be miss-used.
It is also with interest that we note the use of instruments at the throne in heaven, shown to us in the Revelation.
Reading in 2 Kings 3 made me start thinking about how many times I have sat at the piano from childhood through adulthood, playing. And in the midst of the playing I sometimes worshipped, praised, celebrated and even had my troubled spirit made better in the power of the Lord. God obviously has always had a plan to use instruments to bring the power of the Lord into our lives. mjm
