Sing for joy

I love the song "Bless His Name" by Jeremy Riddle. Love, love, love it. We listened to it again this morning on the way to church and I was struck by the first line which says, "Come, let us sing for joy." I usually feel pretty joyful when I'm singing along with it at the top of my lungs and have always taken it to mean "come, let us sing [because of] joy"--that our song is a response to the joy we feel.

But I've been feeling a little bit tired and blue and this morning I prayed specifically for joy. And in singing this song, I heard the words in a whole new light--"come, let us sing [in order to receive] joy." If I want joy, I might need to worship to get it.

Our church is currently doing a series on worship and today's sermon was on the importance of hearing. As I was thinking more about it, I was struck by the fact that worship is something we do for God, but also for ourselves. Because worship can change us. From wherever we are to joy.

In worship we hear others testify to God's goodness and power and mercy and grace. And in singing ourselves, we hear ourselves testify to it. And the more we sing it, the more we hear it, the more we believe it, and the more we are changed.

Come, let us sing for joy
Let us shout aloud to our King
Come, let us worship God
Lifting holy hands, bless His name

Lord, we come to meet with You again
To worship with one voice in adoration
You deserve our every praise
That echoes in this place
You’re the worthy One

Lord, we come with gratitude that flows
From deep within our souls
We rejoice in You
(And) We will glory in Your name
With a shout our lips proclaim
The praises stirring in our hearts

Every creature in Heaven and Earth below
Bless His name, bless His name (4x)

Comments

[Barbie]

Those are some beautiful lyrics!

I just love your zeal for life:) It's contagious!

[Amanda]

Must be in the air this weekend. All praise be to Him. :)
May we never be ashamed to adore our Father!

[Jill]

Very often it seems that when we don't feel joy, a little bit of worship tends to restore it.
I am a singer on the worship team at our church and sometimes don't "feel" like singing on a given Sunday morning. Somewhere in the midst of practice, God meets me where I am and my spirit is lifted and I really do feel His joy.

[Elizabeth Gibson]

Thanks for reminding me that a little worshipful praise will be just the thing to set my heart where it needs to be!

I followed the link to your church website. It looks neat. Thanks.

Elizabeth

[mzzterry]

Last week I was impressed by the Lord for the need to LISTEN. To be silent.
Your thoughts reiterate this for me. Worship and joy, how beautiful!

I am currently in a Ladies Bible study group that is reading your book, Living Simply. You are inspiring to me!

[Janine]

I love, love, love this song by the Newsboys, In Wonder, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6bBxO37LE4
The video is a bit hokey, well, VERY hokey. But when I crank the
music up this is my favorite song!

So much wonder
Carved in your coral seas
So much wonder
Shaded by ancient trees
I consider all that your hands have made
Every newborn’s eyes, every new sunrise
No power can tame your presence
No light can match your radiance

LET ALL CREATION SING IN WONDER
EVERY SEA, EVERY CREATURE, EVERY STAR
YOU OPENED UP MY EYES TO WONDER
WHAT A VISION, WHAT A WONDER YOU ARE

Such a wonder
Ordering time and tide
Such a wonder
Bridging the great divide
I consider all that you had, all you gave
And all that you endured
From this rebel world
What a wondrous cross you chose to bear
What a wonder you would even care

No power can tame your presence
No light can match your radiance
Such a wonder...
Such a wonder...