The men of the Watford church met last night. Part of our time was spent singing together. No instruments, nothing fancy, just singing songs we love.

As we were leaving one of the men said to me that he had got out of habit singing in his personal devotional times with God. I suddenly realised the same thing had happened to me. Singing in my times of quiet with God has been important to me over the years, but recently I have neglected this valuable aid to connecting with God.

What part does singing have in your devotional times? It does at least two things. It changes our perspective, and reaffirms our identity.

“Body and spirit are inseparable: when we sing with full voice our attitude changes. When body attitude combines with deepest beliefs, singers are taken out of themselves into a heightened awareness of God, beauty, faith, and one another.” p87
Brian Wren Praying Twice: The Music and Words of Congregational Song, (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000)

Perspective
Singing about our faith lifts us out of our current perspective into God’s perspective.
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18
“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you”

Identity
When we sing together we become ‘ourselves’ again. We recollect our true identity.
John 15:14 “You are my friends if you do what I command.”
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one!

CHORUS:
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

This morning I sang “When I survey”. What did it do for me? It reminded me to keep my eyes on Jesus. It reminded me that Jesus’ love for me is fierce. He would even die to convince me that he loves me, and to make sure that I can share in his life.
“love so amazing so divine”
It reminded me that my only legitimate response to such love is to wholeheartedly give of myself to him, “demands my soul, my life, my all”

What does it do for you? What else does it do apart from changing our perspective and reaffirming our identity?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm