why aren't we singing, folks?

I've attended many-a-church service in my years that frankly appear DOA. What I mean is, nobody enthusiastically seems to rejoice in public anymore unless, of course, they are paid to do so, or they are selfishly longing for recognition as a record-worthy performer.  For me, however, it is a rarity to find a congregation that sings joyfully, openly, and robustly together simply because we are all deeply in love with Jesus.

Why is that?

Today, it seems a rarely for self-proclaimed Christians to publicly lift up their voices - glorifying and dancing in appreciation of our salvation, redemption, and new life in Christ without fear or apology.  Nope, for most, it seems like singing together in participation is more of an act of hard labor.  Something we just have to suffer through until our Pastor finally stands up to preach the sermon.  As such, the first 15-20 minutes of many church services are nothing short of sad to witness. Usually it consists of an audience being "performed to" by a select few of worship leaders who come with well-rehearsed sets and Powerpoint presentations.  Sure, we are encouraged to sing along, but most church-goers do not seem to know the style and songs that are being blared loudly throughout our chapels.  This has produced a congregation of blank stares and lip mumblers rather than a congregation of corporate worshippers.  DOA!  How many have told me that they miss the days when organized choirs and familiar church hymns would save us from such torture.  Yes, I too miss the norm of hymns and choirs, but that shouldn't excuse us from singing to the Lord, folks.  What a tragic testimony for God's church to not want to sing aloud together for His glory.

So today, I am asking the question... Why aren't we singing, folks?  What's the problem?  Are we too cool for school?  Are we ashamed of being heard off-pitch?  Are we just too darn tired from our work week to take a moment to open up our mouths in praise?  Why aren't we really singing to the One whom all life was made to honor?  Are we not commanded to rejoice?

Read what God's Word says... (no, don't skim through... really, read these verses...)

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord. (Isaiah 38:20)

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.  Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.  For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.  Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.  Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.  Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Psalm 96)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 5:18b-20)

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. (Jeremiah 31:12)

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. (Isaiah 52:9)

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.  Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. (Psalm 33:1-3)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. (Psalm 66:2)

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is...And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:24, 31-32)

There are so many verses in Scripture commanding us, reminding us, teaching us, and encouraging God's people to sing, rejoice, praise, and lift up our voices together to God Most High.  So come on, people!  Don't you realize what the Lord has done for you?  Don't you love Him?  Don't you want to do what is pleasant and good in His eyes?  I know I do!

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.  Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.  Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. (Psalm 135:1-3)

Let's congregate and praise.  Let's love one another and rejoice.  Let's feed our churches with joy, and choose to lift up our voices together and SING!  For our God gave us Jesus... the WAY!  He wishes for us to acknowledge the honor of His Name together!  So, let's motivate one another to offer a sacrifice of praise continually!  Let's give unto the Lord the majesty and glory due His Name!  This is the day to rejoice, peeps!  We are His Church... not DOA!  We are alive!  Breathing His breath!  Living in Christ!

So let's LIVE, Church!  Let's show up ready and willing to REJOICE together!

WOO HOO!

:)

~Victoria

© 2014 The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson