The song leader gets up and announces the page number in the song book. Does he say: “If you would like to sing along, please do” OR “for those of you that enjoy singing or have good singing voices, please join me.” No, he doesn’t. Why not?
God’s people are not only invited to sing, but God commands us to do so. When we sing, we are fulfilling God’s command. This command comes with a promise. As we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs together we are promised that the Word of Christ will dwell in us richly. As believers, we should crave this! Our singing is more than a warmup for the sermon or a filler in service.
Singing is one of the two chief ways that the word of God dwells in us richly. We sing because of our freedom and salvation (Psalms 68). We sing as worship to God when we’re cheerful (James 5:13). We sing to each other to encourage each other (Ephesians 5:18-20). We sing when indwelled with the word of Christ to express truth to others (Colossians 3:16). The purpose of praise and worship -as it relates to singing and praying- is to create an intimate space between you and the Lord, allowing Him to speak directly to your heart in such a way you are drawn nearer to Him.
As a result, He is glorified, and you go deeper into your identity in Him. We sing to strengthen our hearts in the truth of God’s word. Singing stands alongside preaching as one of the greatest ways to have God’s word deeply rooted in our hearts, strengthening our faith and informing our understanding of who God is.
God has commanded us to gather for worship, and singing is one element that should be a part of those gatherings. It is to him and about him that we sing! Singing has such a unique way of bringing your heart, soul, mind, and strength together to focus entirely and completely on God. No matter how beautiful or terrible we think our voices sound, God tells us throughout the Bible to sing. Singing is less about performing for Jesus and more about our willingness to obey Him. It’s all about Him.
Here's a question for all of us, ask yourself this: HOW WOULD OUR SINGING WORSHIP BE IF EVERYONE SANG LIKE ME?
- Bubba Webster
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