A Glorious Song Service

A Glorious Song Service

Imagine with me the day of the dedication of the temple built by Solomon. What an amazing day! The music from the instruments and singers must have sounded like heaven on earth, cymbals and psalteries and harps plus 120 priests sounding with trumpets! (2 Chr.5:12) The next verse says the trumpeters and singers “were as one”. It would take many singers to be heard over 120 trumpets, but 1 Chronicles 25 gives a list of the singers-288 listed. What a choir! 

The purpose of this music was to praise and thank the Lord, and it had God’s blessing. HE filled the house of God on that unforgettable day. There’s a special place for music in the worship of our amazing God. All church services may not be as awe inspiring as the dedication of a magnificent temple, but do believers REALLY add to the worship of God during the song services in most churches?  

There’s a special place for music in the worship of our amazing God.

Music on the Mission Field

I served as a missionary teacher in the Christian school under Nausori Baptist Church in the Fiji Islands for 10 years, and if there’s one thing that drew me to Fiji, it was that islanders love to sing.  The song service at Nausori Baptist Church was an exciting part of the service. Most sang as loud as they could, many singing harmonies, EVERY single verse, enthusiastically, whether we had a piano player or not.  We sang strong, Biblical hymns, not the frothy praise songs that replace Godly music in so many churches.

Before I went to Fiji, “We’re Marching to Zion” had always seemed a little boring, but when THEY sang it, it was a joyful reminder of the journey Christians walk through this life.  We’re doing it TOGETHER, as a local church and with other genuine believers worldwide!

Moreover, I noticed the difference keenly when I would come home from Fiji.  American churches have carpet and padded pews and are generally bigger than most churches there, muffling some of the sound, but that’s not the reason song services lack the same heart as those in Fiji.  Most people just don’t sing, or when they do, it’s quiet, as if they’re scared someone will hear.  There’s little enthusiasm or joy, just another part of the service.

The song service is not about singing to others or what others think of your voice;

Oh, how our churches would be a different place if GOD filled the house of God!  As New Testament believers, WE are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19-20).  As we are filled with His Spirit, praise and thanksgiving overflows (Eph. 5:18-19)!  The song service is not about singing to others or what others think of your voice; it is singing to the King of kings and Lord of lords (Ps. 27:6; 33:3; 57:7,9).  When we meet as the body of Christ in our church building, HIS presence should fill the house.  The song service should reflect our love, joy, and service to Him. Sing out! (Ps. 71:23) Lift up your voice, beautiful or not, in praise to our God, for He IS worthy! 

What have you noticed about the song services on the mission field versus that of church music in America? Share in the comments.