Who would have guessed that finally, after 6000 years of musical composition on planet earth, a hybrid band of Beiber-bots from across the pond would creatively move their minds in one direction and write THE BEST SONG EVER???
Maybe it’s the way she walked
Straight into my heart and stole it,
Through the doors and past the guards
Just like she already owned it.
—From The Best Song Ever, by One Direction
Sheer poetry on Shakespearean level – dost thou agree?
But maybe I’m confused a bit, because the best song ever apparently is the one they danced to but now can’t remember – so how, then, can they make that claim?
While the One Direction direction doesn’t fit my musical taste, there are many 1D maniacs out there. So if you or your friends can’t get enough of the Brit boy band that’s being touted as the new Beatles invasion (insert disbelief), I thought you might appreciate what I consider to be the real “best song ever”:
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Did you know that God is a singer? Long before music was “invented,” God was the essence of melody and harmony. In fact, many people believe that He actually sang the universe into existence!
But our God is more than a Creator, He is also our loving parent. When we are fearful and filled with worry, His gentle hands are placed on our shoulders to remind us that He has not only got our back, but our entire future as well.
And never forget that those hands bear the marks of a sacrificial love that cost Him His life on the cross.
What’s even more amazing, though, is that God isn’t satisfied with simply calming our fears. Because He knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally, He actually “rejoices over us with singing.” The word for rejoice here indicates a loud shout of praise – an actual proclamation of extreme joy and gladness.
Just stop and think about it for a moment…right now the Creator of the Universe is covering your soul with a joyous and healing melody that can speak to the deepest part of you. In the midst of turmoil, confusion, failure, and guilt, your Heavenly Father sings victory over our circumstances and emotions and quiets our restless hearts.
A philosopher named ― Friedrich Nietzsche once observed that “those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
There are some who see a life of following Jesus Christ as a duty and a drudgery that takes the enjoyment out of life. The truth is…nothing could be farther from the truth! Our Father rejoices over us with singing – and following Jesus is the dance that frees us from the chains that the world wraps around our existence.
We dance forgiveness and contentment and hope because of what our Savior has done for us. Those who don’t follow Jesus may think us insane, but when we are bold in our witness for THE Cause of Christ and rest in the music of our Father’s rejoicing, people will join us in the grand celebration of His grace!
So what kind of music are you into right now? Between iTunes and Google Play and Satellite radio, our choices are nearly limitless – but don’t let the music of the world drown out the life changing song of the Father who is rejoicing over you right now. No matter what you are feeling or who condemns you, tune your ear to the message coming from the Throne Room of Heaven:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).
“I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!” (Jeremiah 31:3, The Message).
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT).
Now THAT is the Best Song Ever!
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
Many of your friends long for someone to rejoice over them, so take some time this week to share the true “best song ever.” Ask your friends about their musical preferences, then share the amazing truth about how God sings over you and restores your joy.
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Father, it is amazing that you rejoice over us with singing. Help us tune into the song you sing to us, and let others see the joy of what it means to dance with you.
Read: Psalm 96:1. Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Youth Leader Discussion Questions:
Big Idea: The best song ever is the one that God sings over His children to calm our fears and quiet our hearts.
Key Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17
ALT-ernative Questions:
- Are you a fan of One Direction? Why or why not?
- How have you experienced God singing over you?
- What drowns out the music that God sends our way?
- What other ways could you apply this Soul Fuel to THE Cause?
