If singing isn't your strong suit, sometimes worship may seem uncomfortable. It is a fact that many people on this planet, possibly even the majority, are not musically talented. This subgroup of our population may not feel connected with the Lord during times of worship, and may not even desire musical worship. Do we even need to worship God with song? What is the purpose of musical worship?
Luckily, the bible has quite a bit to say on the topic of worship. Since the bible is the inspired word of God, we hold it to a very high standard as Christians. The bible offers instruction on how to live, offers historical context, and allows readers to connect with the living God. All of this being said, when something is in the bible (especially if it is a reoccurring theme) we pay attention!
The true goal of worship is to praise and glorify God. We use our voices and allow the Holy Spirit to move us closer to God, simply because we love him. I love the following quote from the wise John Piper:
"Our hearts are moved by the fullness of the Spirit with affections like thankfulness: “making melody with your heart, giving thanks” (Ephesians 5:19–20). The mind is alive with the truth of God. The heart is alive with affections for God." (Desiring God).
In using our voices in worship, we express the very melody of our hearts. This is true worship: when your heart is expressed to God, enabled by the Holy Spirit. This is something that is very hard to accomplish without song. When we sing to God, we humble ourselves and present our hearts in such a unique way that only humans can do. We sing the Word of God right back to him, confirming our love and desire for God. In participating in worship, we bring glory to God!
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Psalm 68:4-5).
Another aspect of worship is the corporate perspective. We should certainly worship God whenever we feel moved to, but we should also set aside time to gather together in worship as a body of believers. In doing this, we are able to accomplish several things. The first is that we are able to encourage one another. When worshipping side by side with other Christ-followers, we band together as members of the body of Christ and glorify God in community.
As Christians, we know that community is essential, and Jesus even tells us in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”. If Jesus makes a promise to us that he will be present in corporate gatherings, shouldn't that be something that we desire? Not only is it something we should desire, but it is also something that we need. A moving example of worship in community comes when Paul and Silas are in prison in Phillipi, Greece. It is documented,
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25).
Paul and Silas were trapped under Greek persecution, yet they make use of the powerful tools they have for glorifying God. They have their voices that can be used to pray, and worship. When we have nothing else, we will have prayer and worship. The ability to pray and glorify God is something that cannot be stolen away.
Worship is a part of glorifying God and accessing the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. It is vital that worship becomes a part of our rhythm as Christians, because we know that God truly does deserve the glory!
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