A Column for Church Musicians & Song Leaders
By Robert Wright | March 29, 2026
If Only
Genesis 16:1–6 • Rev. Marcus Davis • Ludden Chapel Baptist Church
Before Rev. Marcus Davis preached “If Only” from Genesis 16:1–6 last Sunday at Ludden Chapel Baptist Church, the music ministry had already been living in that text for days. That’s the part nobody sees from the pew.
My process starts with two things: the scripture and the sermon title. I don’t ask for the outline or the illustrations. The text and the title are enough for a musician who knows the gospel catalog to start hearing music. When I saw Genesis 16 paired with “If Only,” I immediately understood the frame — this is a retrospective sermon. Someone looking back at a decision that made sense at the time but cost more than expected. That posture called for songs that speak to the weight of moving ahead of God: I Don’t Mind Waiting, Please Be Patient With Me, and On Time God. I sent that list back to the pastor. They flowed.
But preparation is only half the job. The other half happens in real time. While Rev. Davis preached, I was listening with two ears — one for the Word, one for the music it was summoning. When he said too many of us have seen God favor others but don’t believe He’ll do it for us, I heard There Is No Secret What God Can Do. When he challenged the congregation’s trust level, James Cleveland’s Where Is Your Faith surfaced immediately. This is the balanced exchange — the pastor’s words refine the musician’s instincts in real time.
Rev. Davis closed with two lines every musician should write down: “If it’s the Lord’s will, it’s the Lord’s bill” and “When you’re waiting, do what waiters do — serve.” I closed the service with Elevation Worship’s Trust in God. The congregation had traveled through confession, conviction, and consequence all morning. That song brought them to resolution.
Sarai had the promise. She just couldn’t wait for it. The musician’s job is to help the congregation do what Sarai couldn’t — settle into the wait with songs that hold them there long enough for the Word to do its work.
Robert serves as Music Minister at Ludden Chapel Baptist Church.
The Choir Stand Pulpit • Helping musicians align song selection with the preached Word
