Dear Grace and Truth,
There is something that has built in our church. Something that is more of an outflow from God's work among us than it has been an intentional plan. When I came as a pastor to our church, I did hope to see us become a singing church but intentional steps for that end were not put in place. What simply happened is that we preached Christ every Sunday. We chose biblically accurate, Christ-centered songs week by week. We sought to use whatever gifts in instruments and singing that God would bring to our church (he has been gracious indeed). We didn't seek to find a certain style but wanted to edify each other and glorify our Lord. Without dismissing the old, we wanted to find the best of the new. We are still refining all these things. We still want our songs to speak of Christ and be beautiful for Him.
Over the last few years particularly I have seen an increasing volume in our voices. I don't believe that this is just because we have more people. I once visited a very large church with thousands of people and hardly heard anyone singing except the band. In our church I have noticed that you truly sing. I believe I know why, and I think it has everything to do with the fact that you LOVE being the church. You love singing to your Husband as His bride. You love singing to your Father as His children. You love singing to each other words that encourage your heart because they put all your hope in Christ now and forever.
We are preaching through Psalms - SONGS. In doing so, I am learning even more about the value of a church that sings. I am thankful for your voices. Let's keep raising them.
This week we come to Psalm 137 that talks about the people of God having difficulty in singing. There are many reasons why people may have difficulty in singing, but I believe the Psalmist this week will tell us that the church can never sing in frivolity, but faithfulness. I believe we are going to find that singing is part of the DNA of God's people and will be forever. I have been both challenged and encouraged by this amazing Psalm. I can't wait to share it with you.
In preparation I am simply asking you to look at this Psalm and ask yourself a question. How important are the songs of our Lord? How important are they to the people of God?
How important are they to you? Why?
See you Sunday. Bring your voice!
From....
Your fellow choir member.
Psalm 137
By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" 4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! 7 Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, "Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!" 8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! 9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!