Today’s Reading, 1 Chronicles 6
Focal Scripture: 1 Chronicles 6:32 “They ministered with song in front of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, and they performed their task according to the regulations given to them.”
I think people underestimate the importance of corporate worship in the local church setting. Too many times, the local body gathers together and sings songs that do not elevate Christ or involve the members of a local congregation. I know that this topic gets extremely controversial, and my intention is not to cause division or arguments. I intend to get to the heart of worship for the individual and for the church gathering. If we truly believe that worship is important, then what we sing is also important.
In today’s reading, we see that music was used as a ministry. It happened in front of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting until the temple was built. These music leaders followed the regulations given to them to ensure biblical worship happened in their corporate settings. So the question must be asked: Are we following any regulations when it comes to corporate worship in our setting? I would argue that we do not have high standards when it comes to the music that is sung or put in front of the people.
Now, before you say that I am being nitpicky or over the top, think about how much power music has on us as people. Songs create deep emotions and can bring back many memories that have been forgotten. Even music that you don’t listen to can stick with you because of a movie or another life event. How much more does music stick with us when we are gathered together to worship the Lord?
My biggest struggles with corporate worship today happen for the following reasons.
- Music is chosen because it’s popular, not biblical
- Music is chosen because it focuses on us as individuals, not on God
- Music is chosen from writers that we would never allow to preach in our pulpits, but we encourage them to infiltrate our members’ thinking all day, every day by promoting their music.
- Music is chosen because it can draw a crowd, not because it can bring glory to the Lord.
I spend a long time watching people at church services when songs are being sung. Every time the songs that are biblical and focus on the Lord are sung, people participate. This is by both young and old believers. These songs can be hundreds of years old, or they can be contemporary, and the entire congregation is involved. No matter the age, they encourage corporate worship.
I challenge you today to think long and hard about the music you listen to individually and during the church service. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it is biblical. A good rule of thumb to follow for music is this: in our churches. If the person or group writing it wouldn’t be allowed to have a platform at your church speaking, then you shouldn’t sing their songs every week.
It is time we encourage corporate worship that is biblical, not popular. God wants to be worshipped in spirit and truth, not because of popularity.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93
