"For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men..." Titus 2:11
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night, On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, For You, Lord, have made me glad of Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:1-4
What did the Jewish people do on the Sabbath? Don’t think for a moment that they went through the day sullen-faced wishing the day would end. Instead, they found their way to the synagogues that were in every village throughout Israel. On Sabbath feast days, such as Passover or the Feast of Trumpets, the Jewish nation would gather from around the world in Jerusalem and congregate tens of thousands strong at the Temple.
It was a time of great joy! The musicians would lead the people in the rousing songs of Zion. The people would dance, sing, eat, play and dance again as they rejoiced in the Sabbath of the Lord. The time was never spent in passive aloneness. No. Wherever God’s people gathered, there was music, dancing, and joy!
Sound familiar?
The Church of Jesus Christ takes the cue from the Book of Psalms as to how we are to celebrate the Sabbath.
First, we are to gather together. There are plenty of times to be alone with God. Your prayer closet is one. Personal retreat times are another. But on the Lord’s Day, the Christian’s Sabbath, it is time to be in the House of the Lord. That means with the family of God.
Next, we are to sing. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! Don’t be bashful as if someone is going to chastise you if you can’t sing as well as another. Beautiful voices often come from cold hearts. God does not care how you sound for the only sound that delights Heaven is a heart that beats passionately for Him.
So rejoice in God’s Sabbath. Get ready to come to church with a desire to make a joyful noise and stop worrying about how you sound.
It could be just the ticket to put a song back in your heart!
