Our Daily Bread 11 March 2023 Devotional Message || ODB for Saturday
Read Our Daily Bread 11 March 2023 Devotional || ODB for Saturday Message
READ SATURDAY ODB DEVOTIONAL, OUR DAILY BREAD 11TH MARCH 2023 WRITTEN BY KIRSTEN HOLMBERG (OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES)
TOPIC: Musical Medicine
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Deuteronomy 14–16; Mark 12:28–44
KEY VERSE: Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. 1 Samuel 16:23
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 16:14–23
INSIGHT FOR TODAY
In the ancient Near East, it was common for court musicians to be hired for reasons such as entertainment or religious ceremonies. In the case of Saul in 1 Samuel 16, his attendants believed his mental torment would be eased by lyre music (v. 16). Since David was a skilled lyre player as well as a warrior (v. 18), he became both a musician and armor-bearer (the carrier of shield and weapons) for King Saul (vv. 21–23). David’s father, Jesse, sent gifts of food and wine with David (vv. 19–20), perhaps showing gratitude for the honor of having his son chosen to serve the king.
Our Daily Bread 11 March 2023 Devotional MESSAGE
When five-year-old Bella was hospitalized for cancer in North Dakota, she received music therapy as part of her treatment. Many people have experienced the powerful effect of music on mood without understanding exactly why, but researchers have recently documented a clinical benefit. Music is now being prescribed for cancer patients like Bella, and those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and trauma.
King Saul reached for a musical prescription when he was feeling tormented. His attendants saw his lack of peace and suggested they find someone to play the lyre for him in the hope it would make him “feel better” (1 Samuel 16:16). They sent for Jesse’s son David, and Saul was pleased with him and asked that he “remain in [his] service” (v. 22). David played for Saul in his moments of unrest, bringing him relief from his anguish.
We may only just be discovering scientifically what God has known all along about how music can affect us. As the author and creator of both our bodies and music itself, He provided a prescription for our health that’s readily accessible to all, regardless of the era in which we live or how easy it is to visit a doctor. Even when there’s no way to listen, we can sing to God in the midst of our joys and struggles, making music of our own (Psalm 59:16; Acts 16:25).
REFLECT: How has God used music to soothe you? How can you bring music to someone as David did to Saul?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for creating music and using it to soothe my heart and mind during times of struggle.
Our Daily Bread Devotional 11 March 2023 || ODB for Saturday Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.