As I ran in the dry mountain air this morning, I reflected on the words of one of my favorite songs, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Do you know that song? It is #121 in Psalms, the hymn book of the Old Testament.
Last night I sang with two thousand young students, loving God at the top of their lungs. They sang like their lives depended on it. Why do we sing as a part of our worship? As Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, they sang to God. Down to the days of David, some of the descendants of Levi led God's people in music. David himself wrote beautiful words. We sang with the students the words of Psalm 23 arranged by Maverick City, "I shall not want." He assigned the ministry of music to Moses' descendants.
In the New Testament, we read that the disciples sang together after their last meal with Jesus. Paul and Silas lifted their voices and sang when they were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. The prisoners listened in wonder.
What if each of us sang like our lives depended on it? How would we sing? Others may lead us to sing but ultimately no one can worship for us or in our place. Our leaders are more "lead-worshippers" than worship leaders. They lead us to worship by their own worship. We offer God our very best and sing for an audience of One. We do not attend worship to be entertained nor to evaluate others. So my question in worship Is always, "How did I do today?" Just between you and God, how did you do in your worship this past weekend? Our lives depend upon God. The Audience is listening.
