Loud and a Little Undignified

SCRIPTURE:  Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. Psalm 149:1 NIV

THOUGHT: I love it that the psalmists of old would live to tell us to “sing to the Lord a new song.” Six different Psalms contain that encouragement. The King James says in Psalm 33:3, “Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” Permission to play skillfully and loudly while singing something new. Love it. I think of David crazy-dancing before the Ark and saying later, “I will become even more undignified than this.”

If our love for God never sweeps us off our feet, if there’s never anything new to say or sing to him, maybe we need to give ourselves a little reality check. I’d rather church look a little more like the packed stadium at the final four than the demure and quiet funeral chapel.

Yesterday in Sunday school, we were studying Acts 13 and verse 2 caught my eye: “As they ministered to the Lord….” Church becomes less exciting when we’re there not to minister to the Great God of the Universe, but rather to see what we can receive – how we might be ministered to. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the best place in the world to receive care, but it’s also the best place in the world to be reminded that God can receive ministry too. Our ministry to him is the praise that flows from our hearts as we sing a new (or old) song in the assembly of his faithful people. Perhaps sometimes with a loud and skillful noise – and maybe forgetting ourselves for a moment and just not caring that we look a little less than dignified.

PRAYER: Oh God, thank you for Sabbath and a chance to gather with those who love you. May our worship minister to your heart as you minister to ours.