The Vine: Feb. 16, 2026
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
2 Samuel 23:1
These are the final words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised up as the ruler chosen by the God of Jacob, Israel’s beloved singer of songs.”
Music speaks the language of the soul—giving voice to what lies too deep for ordinary words. This was certainly true in David’s life. He wrote at least 73 of the 150 Psalms in the Bible, and through these songs he gave expression to his fears, struggles, longings, hopes, and dreams. No wonder he was called, “Israel’s beloved singer of songs.”
Music has a way of expressing what words alone cannot. The Psalms of David were more than poems, they were words of praise, wonder, prayer, and lament set to music. David was an accomplished musician. He would often play his lyre or harp to offer spiritual comfort to King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). According to 2 Samuel 6:5, David introduced other musical instruments into Israel’s worship, including tambourines, cymbals, trumpets, and ram’s horns (shofars). When bringing the Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem David danced with all his might “with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams horns” (2 Samuel 6:14-16). Music was the heart language of David.
And so it is with us. As Augustine famously observed, the one who sings prays twice. No wonder Saint Paul encourages believers to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16). Music has a way of capturing our hearts and lifting our souls to God—and in the singing, the word of Christ begins to dwell within us, shaping us from the inside out.
The great hymns of our faith—like David’s psalms—are intended to be more than beautiful music; they tell God’s story and ours, and they carry our praise, hopes, dreams, and prayers. For example, “It Is Well with My Soul” was written by Horatio Spafford as an expression of trust in God’s sovereignty after his four daughters perished at sea. “Amazing Grace” captures the faith of John Newton, a former slave trader transformed by grace. “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” written by Charles Wesley on the first anniversary of his conversion in May 1739, is his testimony set to verse—much like David’s psalms were testimonies of deliverance.
These composers, like David, remind us what a beautiful gift music is. Like them, we have much to sing about. Through song, God meets us in joy and sorrow alike—and teaches our hearts to trust him again and again.
Prayer: Come, thou font of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace. Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love. Amen.
From the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:
1. Why do you think music was so important to David? Why do you think he was referred to as “Israel’s beloved singer of songs?”
2. What is your favorite hymn? Explain why this hymn means so much to you. What part of your story does this music reflect?
3. Read a hymn devotionally. Linger over the words. Allow them to speak to your soul. Perhaps read or listen to the hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.” How do these lyrics reflect your faith journey?
PREVIOUS WEEKS
To view all previous devotions go to https://fumc-rr.org/the-vine