"Singing"

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Ephesians 5:19

When Jesus became flesh, He was identifying with us. He suffered for us, and became identified with our suffering and our infirmities. He was not ashamed of us! Jesus was not ashamed to make us His brethren, and to bring us into fellowship with the Father. In fact, He said that He would stand in the midst of the church and sing praise to God. This simple act would bring Him and the church and His Father into unity. Singing identified Christ and His church. How important then is singing?

Singing is mentioned over 200 times in the Word of God. The largest book in the Bible is the book of Psalms, which is a collection of Hebrew songs. The Temple employed singers and musicians in the service of God. The children of Israel were often led into songs of praise to God. Many great men of the Bible are found singing. For example, Moses, Aaron, David, Paul, the Apostles and Jesus were all recorded to have been singing people. It is recorded that we will be singing for eternity in Heaven. We see then that singing is to play a great part in our lives as Christians.

There should be personal singing (Eph. 5:18-21). This is indicative of a Spirit-filled life. Singing speaks to my own heart to stay in harmony with the Lord, and to keep a grateful attitude for all that is mine in Christ. We also find that singing keeps us in submission to other believers (vs. 21). Submission is a yielded spirit. In other words, it is a military term, which means that as I come under the authority of the Commander, I will keep step with my fellow soldiers. Singing accomplishes this attitude in the heart of believers.

There should be public singing (Heb. 2:12; Deut. 31:30-32:47). Jesus stood in the midst of the church and sang praise to God. Moses was told to teach Israel a song that reinforced doctrine and obedient living. Notice his words in Deut. 32:46,47. This song was to set their hearts on the law of God. Moses told them that this was not a vain thing to do, but rather, it was their life. Singing these songs would help them keep these doctrines, which would establish them in the land of blessing. So it is when we sing as a church!

The Bible is filled with overwhelming evidence that God's people are a singing people. Our songs are to be sung joyfully, and to God's honor and glory. Let us follow Christ’s example and open our hearts and mouths together in singing to our God! The next time we get together, let's shake the chandeliers with heartfelt praise to God!

Study verses - Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47; Exodus. 15:1-21; Psalm. 96; 98; 100; 111; 149; Revelation. 19:1-10

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Previous devotions

"Wisdom" - March 3, 2010
"Loyalty" - February 24, 2010
"Observe All Things Whatsoever I Have Commanded You" - February 17, 2010
"A Praying Church" - February 10, 2010
"A Glorious Church" - February 3, 2010
"Work of the Ministry" - January 27, 2010
"Redeem The Time" - January 20, 2010
"Stewardship" - January 13, 2010
"Tithing" - January 6, 2010
"An Expected End" - December 30, 2009
"Silent Night, Holy Night" - December 23, 2009
"Christmas - Part 2" - December 16, 2009
"Christmas - Part 1" - December 9, 2009
"Walk in Truth" - December 2, 2009