We’re all used to music during worship. But have you ever stopped to wonder why we keep music in our worship? Particularly the kind that asks everybody to sing along? I mean, the music people handle that, right? Do they really expect the rest of us to actually join in the singing? The simple answer is, “Yes!”
You might say… “OK… but… Why should I when I don’t have a good voice? Singing isn’t my thing. You wouldn’t want to hear…”
Let’s stop right there. Here’s the reason: Because God himself has commanded it.
Yes – God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, creator of the universe, has commanded that we worship him in song. And he has given us voices to do it. Some may be more suited to lead, but none are to be left silent. God allows some freedom of form and style in our songs, but He does not leave us a choice as to whether or not to join in the singing. Instead He commands:
“O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 95:1)
“O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things… Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, With the lyre and the sound of melody.” (Psalm 98:1, 4-5)
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)
Christian, your voice may not be of professional standard, but it IS of confessional standard. Indeed, if you recognize Jehovah God as the creator of all; if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Rom 10:9), you must sing. Whatever the quality of your voice, whatever your feelings about it – SING. Sing boldly. Sing with thankfulness in your heart to praise Almighty God. Sing with wisdom and discernment in your mind so that you might teach and admonish your brothers and sisters in Christ. For there is Truth from Scripture in the songs we sing, and we need to hear it.
So this is the challenge to us, church: Sing. Sing boldly. Sing as men and women who love the Lord and want the whole world to hear of His love and power and grace and might. Sing such that folks who visit us in this place might wonder just what it is that has us expressing ourselves so earnestly. Let’s just see whether the Lord might use our strong singing to bolster our faith and our community.
Yours in Christ,
Dan