Worship ≠ Music, Part 2

Dear Worshippers,

As we began this path last week I made two basic points: 1. There is much to worship that is not music, and 2. Music, especially singing, is a scripture-mandated element of worship, though much more varied than we often imagine. I asked these questions at the end of last weeks Tuning, “Which music does God like best?” and “What is God’s favorite song?”

One author has put it this way.

His favorite song of all, is the song of the redeemed.
When lost sinners now made clean lift their voices loud and strong.
When those purchased by His blood lift to Him a song of love.
Nothing more He’d rather hear. None so pleasing to His ear.
That’s His favorite song of all.
“Favorite Song of All”, Words and Music by Dan Dean, © 1992 Dawn Treador Music.
First brought to my attention through the ministry of The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir directed by Carol Cymbala

What do you suppose that song sounds like? Do you suppose it has a particular “style”? Do you imagine that it has a particular orchestration and instrumentation? Do you think it is four-part harmony or simple melody, etc.? You see where I am going with this. The song God most enjoys is the song of love sung by “lost sinners now made clean.”

The song above continues with these words. [I get “glory” bumps just thinking about them.]

It’s not just melodies and harmonies that capture His attention.
It’s not just clever lines and phrases that causes Him to stop and listen,
But when any heart set free, washed and bought by Calvary begins to sing…
That’s His favorite song of all, it’s the song of the redeemed…

I heard a story just last Friday that illustrated this beautifully. A friend was relaying to me how she came to know Jesus, and particularly the role that music played in that. She was attending a special service at her church where a style of music was being used to which she had an aversion. From the opening strains of music she relayed how she dug her heals in determined she would not participate, yet during those same stains of music she began to feel God calling her. There was an opportunity at the end of the service to talk and pray with counselors in a certain room. She went there, looked in, but quickly walked away. The pastor and her friend caught her and asked if she wanted to go to the altar. It was there that she gave her life to Jesus in simple faith, with no musical underscore.

God happened to reveal Himself through music, and a number of other means, but the response was not musical at all, at least not in the way we define music and singing. She did not relay to me that she began spontaneous praise singing _________ [insert favorite or abhorrent song title hear]. But she did tell me that her feelings toward a previously unliked style of music changed. Why? Because God revealed Himself to her when her heart was least expecting it, and that opened her to a whole new world, both spiritually and musically.

All this is simply to say that worship is not music, but music can be worship, when the heart is rightly oriented to God, i.e. redeemed. Thanks again for journeying on with me. I look forward to where the Lord will take us next week.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott