Scripture reads, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Ps. 100:1–2). As followers of Christ, one of the distinct privileges and joys that we have is to worship our Lord with singing. Some of us enjoy doing so more than others. It is important to recognize that the privilege we have as Christians to sing praise to God has nothing to do with personal vocal ability. Bob Kauflin reminds us, “The Sunday gathering is not a concert where gifted performers entertain a group of passive spectators. The church gathers to build one another up, stir up one another for love and good works, and be equipped for the various works of ministry God has assigned us (1 Cor. 14:12; Heb. 10:24-25; Eph 4:11-16).”[1] You may not ever sing in a choir or ensemble here on earth, but you do have the opportunity to worship the Lord in song with your church family when it gathers.
As you sing praise to God in the gathering of your local church you are, “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph. 5:19). This act of worship glorifies the Lord and ministers to the body of believers who are gathered. Such singing is evidence of being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18c). Dustin Rouse writes, “When we sing, we are first responding to who God is and what God has done, but we are also singing to one another.”[2] As you lift your voice in congregational song, you are exhorting your fellow believers in the truth. As much as our songs reflect the unadulterated truth of God’s Word, we are reminding one another of the attributes, actions, and promises of our Lord and Savior.
It is amazing to me how the Lord uses the congregational singing of his local churches to minister to his people; to comfort, embolden, convict, and encourage them in their walk with the Lord. Our love for God expressed in songs of praise shows love to our church family. Brothers and sisters, remember that loving your neighbor as yourself is a biblical principle. Let’s make sure that our love for our neighbor is defined by Scripture, not the world. Next time you gather with your church family and you have the privilege of offering your worship to the Lord in song, know that the Spirit of the Lord is going to minister to your fellow believers. He is going to remind them of the truth of God’s Word. He is going to remind them of the attributes, actions, and promises of our God.
[1] https://worshipmatters.com/2016/02/04/whats-so-special-about-singing-on-sundays/
[2] https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/a-colossians-3-16-kind-of-singing/