Have you lost your song?
I have just hopped off a plane heading from Denver to Los Angeles. On the flight I had the wonderful joy
of sitting next to a man – Lamar – who ended up being a follower of Christ. He shared with me his life
story, and much of it included his background in music. He is quite an accomplished musician, and has
helped in churches down through the years (he is in public transportation – Rail Road). As I listened to
this 60 year old man share with me his passion for music and Christ, I was fascinated. He also shared
with me that he was contemplating writing a book on worship and music. Since I am an author, I
encouraged him to pursue his dream. In his enthusiasm, he shared with me that he had no idea that
scripture had so much to say on music and singing. I smiled as he shared this passion with me, and the
interesting thing is that I had recently been thinking about music, singing, worship and the Bible. If you
were to take your concordance (an exhaustive one), you too would be shocked at all the references to
singing and music. But what has prompted my renewed interest in this subject lately, is how my private
worship in singing has diminished. I am embarrassed to say that, especially since I often incorporate
private worship in my teaching and speaking. But it has happened. And as a result, I noticed that I have
struggled recently with peace (i.e. a tendency to be anxious and worry), and faith (i.e. not trusting God as
I should).
Can private worship through songs really be that helpful? You betcha! Excuse the slang, but for certain it
does. Before I give some practical suggestions to restoring your song – through my own failures and
experiences, let me remind you, just in a small way, what scripture says about singing to God. ‘Worship
the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalm 100:2) “Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord all the earth.” (Psalm 96:1) “Sing praises to God; sing praises to our King, sing praises.”
(Psalm 47:6) “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19) “With singing lips my
mouth will praise you.” (Psalm 63:5) I think you get the idea; I actually could fill up this page with verses
– and then some – on the admonition to sing to the Lord. The singing I am talking about is “private
worship”, singing when you are alone with God. Corporate singing is fine, even wonderful, but our time
alone with God, lifting His name up in worship, is both powerful and pleasing to God. Singing does
several things; it causes us to focus on God, and to be reminded of who He is. It takes our minds off of
our present problems and concerns, it combats the Devil and his attacks (the Devil hates worshipful
music, and finally, it prepares us for our singing in eternity.
You say, “but I just don’t feel like singing and praising the Lord”, that is when you should do it the most.
Remember Paul and Silas in prison? What did they do at midnight? They sang songs of praise; “About
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.” (Acts 16:35) Godly Elihu reminded Job
– in the midst of his trials – that it is God “who gives songs in the night”. (Job 35:10) So what happened
to me? Well, for much of my adult life I have sung songs to God during my quiet time – as well as when I
would run, walk, or hike alone. I would use both new contemporary songs (using my IPOD, or now my
Druid, and contemporary song books) and copies of hymns I had run off and put in my small leather
carrying notebook. I loved it, but I got away from it, and my joy suffered because of it. I realized this, so I
went out into the woods (the National Forest that adjoins our house) and began to sing. To be honest, it
was hard at first; I really didn’t feel like it. But after about 20 minutes things changed, I suddenly began
to sing loudly, my heart became alive. I listened to, and thought through the words I was singing. I
suddenly (in a good way) was lost in wonder and worship. In hymns, I was singing “Immortal and
Invisible”, “May Jesus Christ be Praised”, “Fairest Lord Jesus” and “Be thou exalted”. In new
contemporary songs I was listening to and singing “The Revelation song” (by Phillips, Craig and Dean).
Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable”, and several others. Things became clearer, my perspective changed, and
the heavy load on my heart lifted. Friends, we were built for worship, and when we worship things are
right in the universe. God has designed us to worship in singing throughout eternity – (Revelation 5); this
time is the “dress rehearsal” for all of eternity. If you have not incorporated private worship singing into
your life, I encourage you to start now. Have you lost your song? God can restore it, He wants to restore
it! Why not purpose right now, to set aside some alone time to sing praises to our God.