Music!

I was thinking about singing in the church today. Not me singing but singing in general. It is amazing how many choose a church based on the type of music the church presents. I had a lady tell me one time that she just could not worship unless she was singing "Praise and Worship" songs. Others, can't worship singing the "Praise and Worship" songs. Some want hymns and others want contemporary. Some desire bluegrass and others want something more pop oriented. It seems that no matter what course you choose you are going to alienate some people.

But here is the deal. You can worship God without music! You really can! Abraham did it when he went to sacrifice Issac. Abraham told the men they were going to the mountain to worship. So you can worship God in the absence of music. But you can certainly worship God with music. And you can fail to worship God with music. Yes, you can have your brand of music and still miss out of truly worshipping God. How?

There are too many songs, regardless of genre, that simply do not magnify God. We sing about ourselves, what we experience or what we anticipate. We sing about our pains, our sufferings, our mansions, our reunions, us, us, us! How can we worship God singing about us? Countless people go to church each Sunday and never worship God. Sometimes church is the most self-exalting place on earth.

How do we know if a song will aid or hinder worship? It's the words. Look at the words. Do they exalt the greatness of God? Do they magnify the redemptive work of Christ? Do they highlight his character? It's not the type of music, it's the words!

For example, here is a song that no matter what music you put to it will promote true worship:

I will glory in my Redeemer

Whose priceless blood has ransomed me

Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails

And hung Him on that judgment tree

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who crushed the power of sin and death

My only Savior before the Holy Judge

The Lamb Who is my righteousness

The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer

My life He bought, my love He owns

I have no longings for another

I’m satisfied in Him alone

I will glory in my Redeemer

His faithfulness my standing place

Though foes are mighty and rush upon me

My feet are firm, held by His grace

My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who carries me on eagle’s wings

He crowns my life with loving-kindness

His triumph song I’ll ever sing

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who waits for me at gates of gold

And when He calls me it will be paradise

His face forever to behold

His face forever to behold