What must we look like from the pulpit?I’ve often set through Sunday morning worship reciting hymns, scripture, and the Lord’s Prayer without paying attention to the words I spoke. As I lazily looked around the sanctuary, I saw others doing the same.
One Sunday, not long after a serious bout of pneumonia, the
opening hymn was one of my favorites and I wished I could sing.
As the music started, the worship leader lifted his voice.
The choir and the congregation followed him, and so did I. The words I knew:
“O for a thousand tongues to sing, My great Redeemer’s
praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! My gracious
Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth
abroad, The honors of Thy name.”
The meaning of the words took hold in my mind. I was to sing
the praises of my Redeemer and He would assist me to do His will. Can you feel
the words welling up and ready to burst your soul?
My wish to sing wasn’t a prayer yet God filled me with His
answer. Though I wasn’t able to sing every word loud and clear, I sang His
praises with all my heart.
As you put on your “Sunday best” prepare your heart to
worship. Ask God to help you understand the words then sing with joy. Be bold
as you proclaim God’s good news through song.
“May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are
righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. Let me live
that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost
sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” Psalm
119:172-176
In Christian Love,
Berta
I find it a good exercise to listen as we sing the words to our hymns and praise songs. I was at a special Easter week service. One hymn we had to sing was one I didn't know. It had an unusual cadence and tune. I found myself studying the words- there was a lot of theology in that hymn.
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