Daily Devotional for Tuesday, August 20

The Works of the Lord

“Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him who rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him,” Psalm 68:4.

Neither my dad nor I have much singing talent. Truly, we have no singing talent. In spite of this, I often hear people say of my dad, “I love to hear him sing in church.” They would not want a recording of his singing, nor would they necessarily want him singing a solo at the front of the church, but they still like to hear him sing within the congregation. Why? Because he does it with volume and with heart. These two qualities make it noteworthy and joyous.

Throughout the Scriptures, we are commanded to sing. Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, God’s people were always responding to God’s blessing and love through song. Moreover, we are commanded to sing with gusto and strength. Psalm 68 recounts many of the works of the Lord, both of what He has done in the past and what He will do in the future. The natural response, or should I say, the spiritual and supernatural response, is a song of praise with rejoicing before Him.

Singing is our service and worship to God. It is not a warmup to service. It is not a transition within the service. It is not a preparation for worship. Along with prayer, giving, confession and hearing from God through the preaching of the Word, it is how we worship. So do it wholeheartedly. Do it loudly. And, if you can, do it skillfully. But even if you have no skill, bless all around you by doing it with all your heart, soul and strength. God likes it, and that should be enough.

REFLECTION
By singing we bless God, we bless our fellow-believers, and we bless ourselves. Sing loudly unto the Lord.

Jason Rutherford