I don’t know about you but I’m pretty fed up with the kind of TV shows that highlight the best (and worst) singers. I’m thinking of those shows where contestants sing auditions (sometimes to judges that can’t see them singing). We sit in the lunge and watch, and ask the same question that’s on everyone else’s lips … “Will they will they get through to the next round?” … or “who told them they could sing?” … or perhaps we’re watching one of the heart-wrenching backstories and all the time thinking “this is all rigged” .. probably, maybe. Still, my own personal dislike of these TV shows isn’t rooted in who can, or can’t sing, whether it’s rigged or even in the personalities that these shows encourage. My big problem? Singing is a gift that speaks of God.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes singing shows are great entertainment but Have you ever wondered why God desires for his people to sing? What role should singing play in the life of a Christian? What is it about worshiping through song that is so important to God? I pray as I examine 6 reasons why singing matters that you’ll consider and reflect on these and with your voices (“good” or “bad”) will sing with all your might to God.
1. Singing matters because God demands it
That’s right. Singing is a command of Scripture:
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.
Colossians 3:16
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart
Ephesians 5:18-19
We’re not encouraged to sing.
We’re not invited to sing.
We’re commanded to sing.
2. Singing matters because you learn The Bible
Do you remember those old songs learnt in Sunday school that were literally just bible verses sung to a tune? Do you still remember them 10 years, 20 years 30 years on? Of course you do because through singing you’ve committed the Bible to your memory. Paul says
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
Colossians 3:16
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. How? by singing various different types of songs, one of which are the Psalms. Singing hymns and spiritual songs also help you to take the Word and apply it. Think of the hymn “How deep the Father’s love for us” .. that’s a 2 minute summary of the gospel you can apply to your life every moment of every day. Singing matters because the Bible matters.
3. Singing matters because singing encourages others
I’ve written about this before but I’ll state it here again – I love to sit on the front row at church? Why? Because I get encouraged by all the singing that is pointing in my direction, encouraging my heart. Your singing is saying to my heart “we are all in this together! We worship the same God! Have I told you about our God recently? Let me tell you .. Amazing Grace How sweet the sound!”
This is why Paul frames singing in the way that he does:
Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…
Ephesians 5:19
We need this kind of encouragement, don’t we? I mean, we are attacked on every side by the enemy of our souls and it’s as if we are soldiers singing beautiful songs of another beautiful place that our hearts long for. We are spiritual strengthen fro trials, we are uplifted and reminded that this world is not our home and it spurs us on!
4. Singing matters because joy matters
Think about this: when God designed you, He also designed the best way of life for you. Singing is God’s gift to you so that you enter into joy. Here’s what the Psalmist says:
“Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
“I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
“Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.”
“I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
“For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”Psalms 5:11; 9:2; 51:14; 59:16; 63:7
God intends you to walk in joy, and one of the ways to get to joy is to sing!
James says:
“Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
James 5:13
How many times in the Bible do you read about joy and singing? Lots and lots and lots – it’s almost as if they are one and the same (they are not of course but it just seems that way). The natural outworking of joy is singing, and the natural way into joy is also singing. If you struggle for joy…sing! If you are joyful…sing!In God’s perfect design and understanding of the human condition, he has
5. Singing matters because it glorifies God
All these things above bring glory to God, which is our goal and purpose in life.
Paul tells us in Colossians 3 to sing “to God”. Paul writes to the Ephesians and says:
“singing and making melody to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:19It is to him and about him that we sing!
Out singing is not just singing theology – it is singing to God. We praise Him, we thank Him, we declare truth about Him, we honour Him, and to Him we sing!
6. Singing matters because it will be the activity of heaven
There is an age to come that we don’t know very much about. However, one of the things we really do know about is that in that age we will be singing. It’s a standout feature of heaven and all eternity that around the throne of God are myriads upon myriads singing, filling our grabbing our attention and filling our senses. What is it that we sing?
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10
and it’s sung in every tongue from every tribe and people group on the planet! Eternity awaits. Glorious singing awaits. Let’s start practising!
Leave a Reply