Jump Start # 3869
Psalms 89:1 “I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.”
Those that know me, know that I cannot sing well. My family can. My wife is a wonderful pianist. All three of my boys can lead singing well. I love music. We go to concerts all the time. We watch documentaries about musicians and rock groups. I have sat through many singing classes. But, I don’t sing well.
We ran across a t-shirt the other day that is so me. On the shirt was the expression, “Just because I can’t sing doesn’t mean I won’t.” That’s me. I like sitting around those who sing well because they tend to drown me out and I can kinda follow along with them. Just because I can’t doesn’t mean I won’t.
Our verse today is about singing. Singing about the Lord. Singing about the Lord to others. The N.T. shows us that we teach, encourage, warn and help one another through our hymns to the Lord. Singing can go with you anywhere. You can sing by yourself or get a group of friends together and everyone sings.
Our songs have a way of reminding us. Our songs lift weary hearts. And, from a very early age in life, we have learned things through singing. Many learned the books of the Bible through a song. Little voices. Young voices. Old voices. Mature voices. All mixed together in a room lifting up to the God we love.
Now, some thoughts for us from one who does not sing well.
First, the emphasis of our hymns are in the words. Learning the mechanics of a song, the notes, the tempo is valuable, but without the words, the hymn fails. Some like newer songs. Some like older songs. Mix them up in a worship service but think about the words.
Here at home, many of our song leaders reach out during the week to the preachers and want to know if there is a song or a theme that they can build the songs around for Sunday. This often reinforces the message from the pulpit. This is a wonderful way in which the song leader and the preacher work together.
Second, the invitation song is not the two minute warning before we leave. It’s not the time to gather the book bags, put things up, grab jackets and get ready to leave. The invitation song, unlike any of the other songs in worship, is designed and intended and directed toward the audience. You are “inviting” someone to come to the Lord. The shuffling about and the noise of putting things away can kill the thoughts and the intent of the invitation song. As you sing that song, think about those in the audience. Say a prayer for those who are not Christians. Plead with them through your voice.
Third, the songs can be more encouraging, motivating and helpful than the sermon. Don’t underestimate the power of a hymn. Many of us can remember hymns longer than we can remember a sermon. So, thought needs to go into what songs should be sung. Picking a new one that few know may not work well on a Sunday morning. You may need to get with others and learn that song before it is tried before the whole church. The leader of the songs is important too. I don’t lead. I have a time or two, but I don’t know music. I married my music. Getting someone to lead songs for the first time on a Sunday morning may not be the best we can offer God. Give a new person some opportunities in smaller settings. Those that are experienced can give some tips to help him.
I have been the visiting preacher at places where someone is leading for the first time and he is leading a new song that very few know. The experience doesn’t go well. There is more silence than voices. And, moments like that can discourage more than it encourages. So, give thought to the occasion and who ought to lead and what selection of hymns ought to be sung.
Our verse today is not qualified by being in an assembly of God’s people. The setting may be at home. The setting may be someone singing during the week. James reminds us that if anyone is cheerful, let him sing praises. A cheerful heart. A singing heart. A thankful heart. A heart that is praising. That’s the connection we find and through that, others will see and learn.
I will sing, is how our verse goes. The t-shirt said, “Just because I can’t sing, doesn’t mean I won’t.”
Roger