All About GOD

All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

"Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan." - John Wesley

"Holy joy is that devout affection which should animate all our praises..."
"Spiritual joy is the heart and soul of thankful praise."
- both quotes are from Matthew Henry

What is this half-dead or half-asleep worship that we hear emanating from the walls of most churches in our land?

In some services, it sounds like the people are ready to have a cardiac arrest. They sound like they are gasping for air as they breathe out their last praise. In others, it sounds like they are at a funeral - mourning the death of their long lost friend. They drag out their song - making it as morbid as possible. Believe me, if you weren't tired or depressed when you came to church that day, you would be before long.

And to think that people are satisfied with such nonsense!

When was the last time that you passed by a barroom or a nightclub? We are not talking about going in and joining the sinners. We are simply asking - when was the last time that you passed by one?

If the door should open while you are passing by, you would hear all kinds of loud noises and such racket coming from that place. Such laughing, shouting, and carrying on would be heard. It would appear that the people were having a good time or enjoying themselves.

The sad thing about it all is that these people in such "dark places" are deceived. They are only going through the motions. They think that they are having a "good time." They want you and me to think that -yet all along - they are as miserable as ever.

The reason why they are miserable is because their shouting and joy is hollow and empty. It is all a pretense. It is worship for the devil, and his presence - as we all know - brings nothing but sorrow and heartache and pain.

The Scripture commands us as the redeemed of the Lord in Isaiah 12:6 to - "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion..." What that verse is saying is that we should sing aloud with high praises...shout loudly...sing with joy...cry aloud...cry for help...raise a shout of joy... and rejoice. Our praise should express exultation with a clear and loud sound of our voice.

Why all the shouting? Surely God is holy, and doesn't He require quietness and reverence when we enter into His Presence?

Read the entirety of Isaiah 12:6 to see what God as a Holy God expects from His people - "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."

Here we see that the "Holy One of Israel" is in our midst, and yet the Bible is instructing us to "cry out and shout." That goes against alot of people's religious views of worship, doesn't it?

God is on our midst! Should we be quiet and reverent?

There are times when the Holy Spirit leads the congregation to worship Him in quietness and stillness. But for the most part, God is a King and is looking for a "shout" of exultation from His people - as any king would.

What would really be in order would be for the churches to crack open the Bible and see how God desires to be worshipped. After all, He is God, and if they are to give Him the praise due His name, they ought to find out what He desires and likes.

We know for a surety that He despises the half-dead and half-asleep worship that is coming forth from many congregations today. In fact, in Revelation 3:16, He expressed the fact that it nauseates Him. To all those who participate in such lifeless praise, He stated that He would vomit them out for their lukewarmness - "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth."

What kind of praise do you think would be appropriate for a victorious and triumphant conqueror or a mighty King? What kind would be appropriate for the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords?

Surely, half-dead, half-asleep, boring, lifeless, and depressing praise and worship would be an insult to such an exalted Figure, wouldn't you agree?

Throughout the Psalms, David let us know what God desires from His worshippers. Read what he said -

Psalm 66:1 says - "Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands."
Psalm 81:1 says - "...make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob."
Psalm 95:1 says - "...let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation."
Psalm 95:2 says - "...and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms."
Psalm 98:4 says - "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."
Psalm 100:1 says - "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands."

"Noise" - God loves "noise." Not just any kind of "noise." It is to be "a joyful noise."

It all cases, it represents singing aloud to Him...shouting His praises... uniting in praise...offering shouts of joy...shouting happily to Him... hearty and zealous praise...praising with all your might...open and public praise...with no dullness or half-heartedness allowed...no limping along in your song...no slacking in praise...using strong expressions of joy...with cheerfulness, warmth and affection...with holy enthusiasm... with warlike shouts...with shouts of triumph..with holy joy and delight in Him...lifting the rafters with your shouts of praise...letting loose of all restraints and singing with all your heart...bursting forth or breaking out into joyful singing...extending the voice to the highest pitch...using intenseness of mind, vehemency of affection, and strength of spirit... leaping for joy...and shouting so as to be heard afar off.

Now, let us ask you one simple question - is this a picture of your Sunday morning worship service? Why or why not?

"Great" in your midst is "the Holy One of Israel."

Doesn't He deserve the highest praise for Who He is and what He has accomplished for yours and the world's redemption?

Perhaps you need to re-think your approach to worship.

"Joyful Noise" doesn't bother God. In fact, His Word informs us that it is fitting for Him Who is "God," "the God of Jacob," "the rock of our salvation," and "the LORD."

We close with our opening quote from John Wesley - "Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan."

We leave you with one word -

SELAH! (Think hard about what is being said - allowing it to transform your life)

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.

Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138

Views: 103

Comment

You need to be a member of All About GOD to add comments!

Join All About GOD

The Good News

Meet Face-to-Face & Collaborate

© 2024   Created by AllAboutGOD.com.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service