SUNDAY THOUGHT-14

SUNDAY THOUGHT -14 SONGS AND MUSIC IN WORSHIP Text: Psalms 81:1-4 Imagine a world without songs and music; without singers and musicians…! What a dry place it would have been…! Agreed. But songs and music in the worship of the church…?! Singing with the accompaniment of music…?! "May it never be" is the thinking of some believers in Christ!? Should we have songs sung with music in the church worship? Is it sinful and displeasing to God? I would like to discuss this question in this article. Let me make my perspective on this - which I've developed from the scripture- clear at the very outset: We can use music and sing songs with the accompaniment of music in our worship meetings. And whenever possible, we should use them in our worship and even encourage people to use them. Music and songs were existing from the very beginning of human history. The first reference of music instruments (and for that matter, songs) we see in the very beginning chapters of Genesis (4:21) "Jabal's brother Jubal was the father of all those who play harp and lute". I can imagine the return journey of Abraham with Isaac from the mount of Moriah after 'sacrificing' Isaac and worshipping God. They must have been singing all the way back home! After they crossed over the Red sea, the Israelites started praising Jehovah by singing with music (Exodus 15:20, 21).David appointed in Israel singers and musicians to sing praises to God in their assemblies when gathered for worshipping God (1Chron. 15:26; 16:4, 5, 6). The psalms (which are songs themselves) abound in calls to worship and praise with songs and music. To state succinctly: God expect and appreciate his people singing songs of praises and that too with the accompaniment of music. Then why don't some among us, the believers, do not use good songs or music in worship services? The reasons range from the lack of good songs to lack of music instruments to ignorance to use music instruments. But a more strong reason is because some of us consider all music as Satanic or 'worldly' and therefore displeasing to God. And due to the same, songs sung with the accompaniment of music or playing songs by means of music during the worship time (or other times) are to be avoided completely. If we hold such a position, then, I would say it is an unbiblical, unwarranted and imbalanced position. Because, 1. God being the creator and sustainer of all good things made it possible for people to come up with musical instruments and He gave people skills to play them. 2. God made good singers among people with the ability to sing pleasantly. 3. God (in the past history of His people, without doubt) appreciated his people singing praises to him with music. Even in the future His people will sing to him praises with music (Rev. 15:2, 3). 4. Music and songs are given great significance in the Bible throughout. Songs were used in the N.T. churches (Eph. 5:19; Colo.3:16; James 5:13; cf. Mark 14:26 also) though the use of music is not stated specifically. 5. Songs and music do have the power to motivate our thoughts toward God, soothe our feelings, and refresh our minds. 6. Songs reflect our hearts feelings. When it is sung unto God, it expresses our attitude, reverence, gratitude or enthusiasm for God. 7. The fact that songs and music are always used by Satan and his followers for their perverted purposes is not a reason for God's people not using them or for taking a position against using them. Considering music as 'worldly' and denying any place for it in the church worships is not a well thought about position. Church meetings were only reading of the Scriptures, exhortations and prayers are there and no singing will not be appreciated by any of us I am sure. Knowing this, People of God encouraged writing, teaching and singing songs in the church. Indeed it would be more pleasant and sweet to let those songs be sung with the accompaniment of music. I am aware of the modern (or post modern?!) trends in music and know how awkward some of those music's are. But when spiritually minded and spiritually sensible people use music in a spiritual attitude it will definitely bring edification, encouragement and comfort for God's people. Some would argue that we need to use contemporary songs and music to attract or to keep people in the church especially youngsters. Using music and appealing songs should not be for that purpose. The purpose of songs and music is to honor and praise God. If people are attracted to the church meetings due to our songs and music, that's fine. The generation gaps we have in the church can create a tension sometime over the question of the kind of songs and music that we should use in our church/worship meetings. The Older crowd in our churches would prefer old songs that might be different in style and tunes. Our younger generation need not become offended at this. When there is spiritual maturity with an individual then any meaningful songs, weather old styled or post modern, will find easy acceptance in our worship/ church meetings without causing any tension in the use of any of them. And it should be so, I think. As we prepare to worship God this week, let us use spiritual songs and sing them with music and praise God thus. Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham