Were you bummed out because the last time you sang there were issues with the sound system, and you felt like your song was a flop? Perhaps the monitors weren’t working well, or your mic was not loud enough, or there was a lot of feedback. Whatever the case may be, I think we’ve all had a time where we were convinced that the sound system was demon possessed!
I recently had an experience like this. For some reason during the sound check on a Sunday morning, the monitors stopped working with no explanation. Because they weren’t working, it was difficult for the special music singers to stay with their track. There was a great deal of feedback from the system. The sound technician could not get the problems corrected. Frustration began to build, and patience began to wane.
This could have gone two ways. We could have continued on and attempted to sing in our own strength with frustration in our hearts as we fought the sound system, or we could have gone to the Lord and asked for help. And, that’s exactly what we did.
We stopped everything and reminded ourselves that our purpose in being there was to honor and glorify God and edify the Body. Recognizing that this was a spiritual battle, we confessed our frustration to the Lord and asked for His help. God answered our prayer, not by causing the sound system to work perfectly, but by leading worship through the music in a powerful way.
I had been reminded of an important truth that we musicians in the local church must remember. Holy Spirit is not bound by the sound system. He can move and use the songs that we prepare for His service whether the sound is perfect or not. I was also reminded that our ministry is a spiritual ministry – one that must be carried out through the power of Holy Spirit.
The enemy may try to discourage or stop us as we minister through music, and he may try to use the sound system to do that. But, praise God, we don’t have to fight these battles alone. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (ESV)
Singers, when you are preparing your next song, ask the Lord to prepare your heart to present that song. Don’t depend on your own strength or on a perfectly working sound system to give power to your song. Ask the Lord to go before you, to work through you, and to trust Him to accomplish His purposes through the ministry He’s given to you. Then, stand firm and sing. Remember, our battle is not with a faulty sound system!