H
ow do we worship God in our church services? How
do other religions “worship?” Some have certain
rituals they faithfully perform. They kneel, chant repetitious
prayers, light candles and bring food or flowers to set before
their “god.” Some prostrate themselves with heads touching
the floor. But what do Bible-believing Christians do when we
meet to worship the true and living God? We listen carefully
to God’s Word, and give our tithes and offerings; but what do
we do to worship? We sing! WE SING!
Singing has a big place in the Bible as a very important part
of worship. Throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New
Testaments, you will find that when believers met together,
they sang to God. We are to “come before his presence with
singing” (Ps. 100:2 ). On the night before Christ’s crucifixion,
the very last thing He and His disciples did together was sing
a hymn. I have heard it said that music is the language of the
soul. Our souls should be so full of gratitude and love for the
Lord that they just overflow with song. We are to “[speak] to
[our]selves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph.
5:19).
Long ago, I attended a service at a large church with a friend
of mine. After church I asked her feelings about the service;
she said it was good, but she had one observation that has
stuck with me. In her town there was only one small Biblebelieving church, and when she saw the larger size of this
church, she could hardly wait to join in with the congregational
singing. So many voices all singing God’s praise would be
thrilling and wonderful, she thought. But she was sorely
disappointed. She wondered why the people weren’t excited
about what they were singing. They were very halfhearted
and seemed not to be focused or paying attention to what they
were singing.
I, too, have noted that many of us in the pews have blank
faces during the song service. The words are being mouthed
and sung, but it seems as though it is a bit mindless. There is
no joy on the faces of many, no sincere thought or meaning
in their eyes or countenance. It seems that singing is merely
a habit without much meaning—a filler before the sermon. Is
this worship? I think not. But, oh! It could be! If we sang those
glorious words and meant them; if we thought about what we
were saying; if we agreed in our hearts with the songwriter;
it would show on our faces. It would lift our hearts to God.
We would be enthusiastic and full of joy as we sing about
our wonderful God and His great grace to us in salvation. Do
we not have a great and tremendous God? People should see
the joy of the Lord in us and in our worship. God would be
magnified and truly worshipped! Where is our focus? Is it on
self, or on God? Where is the worship, and where is the joy?
What can we do to change this lukewarm spirit? Perhaps if
we tried to memorize the words, we could sing to God even
in the car or at home “making melody in [our] heart[s] to the
Lord” (Eph. 5:19). That would be worship!
“But I can’t sing very well,” some may say. Do you think
God really cares about that? He looks on the heart. For about
fifteen or twenty minutes in nearly every service, we have the
priceless opportunity to worship our glorious God together
by singing. What will we say to Him when He asks for an
account of our worship? If we are going to be held accountable
for every idle word, doesn’t that include the words in songs?
Would God consider indifference when singing His name in
song the same as taking His name in vain? Are we giving
Satan an opportunity to gloat before God by our apathy?
I have been endeavoring to pay closer attention to the words
and what they mean in the songs we sing. What a treasure
of wisdom and truth can be found in those songs of faith! I
have found them to be encouraging, sometimes convicting
and always a reminder of how great our God truly is. And I
am trying to worship God honestly in song. It is a joy, and
my spirit feels refreshed by it. I know that God is pleased
by our sincere praise. May you also find that to be true for
you. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name
together” (Ps.34:3).
Worship in Song
CAROL ROLAND
The Beautiful Spirit
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2 The Beautiful Spirit Fall 2015