In the past couple of months life has been completely unpredictable and challenging. But just like all trials in life, we try to adapt and overcome. Lately we have changed how we work, shop, give schooling, and even hang out. We have even adapted how we gather as a church. Now if you are like me you want community. As a matter of fact, I will sometimes need it to feel sane, so this change has been a concern of mine. But I am also concerned about us losing something else in all this change. That something is singing. Now listen, I am no Josh Groban or Lauren Daigle, but I still sing to the best of my ability. And with our normal church Sundays looking different, a lot of us are meeting in smaller groups, or just solo. In these settings singing can be a little awkward. We don’t have a band playing over us or loud music drowning out our vocals. We can actually hear ourselves sing and others can hear when we aren't even singing. But this practice of singing is crucial for the worship and praise of our God, not necessarily for Him but for us as believers.
But why should we sing? If we aren't good at it and we think we can learn just as much, if not more from the preaching, shouldn't we just leave the singing to the talented worship leaders? The answer is no, singing is for all believers and here's why:
Singing is instructed in the Bible
In Ephesians 5 we see Paul instructing the Ephesus church in what it is to follow Christ. What are the fruits and actions that pour out of the believer’s life. One of those instructions is singing!
Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (Ephesians 5:19)
And this instruction isn't just for some Christians but rather it is for all believers to do. We know this because earlier in this passage Paul tells believers to put off "sexual immorality" (Ephesians 5:3). It would be silly to conclude, like we do with singing, that this instruction is only for some Christians not all. No, rather all these instructions are meant for all Christians, the universal church. So sing saint!
It reveals God's Beauty
Singing also reveals so much beauty and wonder to us. The Arts have always been a way for man to express the creative attribute given to him by God. Music, being one of those forms allows us to marvel all the more at God and praise him. Read some of these Psalms:
“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known the faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1)
“Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” (Psalm 105:2)
“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” (Psalm 104:33)
When God shows himself to us more and more through this life, we can't help but to see his ultimate beauty and worship him! God is marvelous, let us sing about it!
Encourages and Corrects us
One of the reasons songs have melodies and are catchy is because they are meant to be repeated over and over again, seeping into our minds and proclaiming the message they present. When songs have truths about God in them and true doctrine, we can't help but to be molded by them. Remember what Colossians 3:16 said:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Songs can help teach us, encourage us, correct our posture towards God, and remind us of the goodness of God. When times become uncertain, tragedy falls, or hardships attack, how awesome is it that a song sent from a friend, sung on Sunday, or played in our headphones can completely change our outlook. We then can take the truths this song proclaims and recant them over and over again remembering that we are not serving a fictitious dictator but rather a real, loving, sovereign, holy God, who runs all, rules all, and is above all! Beautiful biblical songs are not just something to tap your foot to or lead you to an emotional high. They are a medium in which God has ordained for his church, to proclaim truths and wield as a weapon in spiritual warfare.
God is Glorified
If for no other reason presented yet, this outcome should convince us above all. God is glorified in our singing, and God's glory is the goal for the entire universe (1 Corinthians 10:31). God delights in his children's songs to him. These songs tell of his ultimate worthiness of our praise. God is the most deserving being that ever was and will be that is worthy of any praise or worship. Because we see his ultimate value, his pure love, and infinite character, we can't help but to shout, sing, dance, and create endless praises that tell of this awesome beauty! Listen to these words penned by David in the Psalms:
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:3-4)
When we have tasted and seen the Lord is good, we can't help but to sing about it.
So sing church sing! Sing to each other the truths of God. Sing to your heart of the attributes of God. Praise the God who saves, loves, and redeemed his children. No matter how awkward, no matter how out of key, sing.