And They Sang Praises with Gladness...

On the bus this morning I opened up to where I had left off in my attempt to read through the Bible and landed on 2 Chronicles 29. Here is an except from this chapter:

"25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the LORD through his prophets. 26The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the LORD began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. 28The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. 30And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped."

I don't know what it was, but I was just really touched by the theme of worship in this chapter. I thought it was cool that the Levites knew how to play instruments. I wonder if they were trained in playing instruments from birth or if once they stepped into their role in Temple Worship the Spirit filled them and gave them the ability they needed to play the song to the LORD. I am convinced that they are both equally possible.

The sound of the whole assembly worshipping, singers singing, trumpets sounding must have been a beautiful sound. How I long to have heard it. I think I experience a little of what this might have been like when my friends and others use their instrument playing/singing abilities to worship the Lord. It makes you get the chills as you sit on Holy Ground in awe of the Majesty of God, or melt inside with peace as you reflect on His extravagent grace that allows you to worship Him.

I have really been touched by the role of music and singing and worship in the Kingdom of God this summer. I have been busy rubbing up against others in community and at work, studying scripture and doing ministry, and finding myself desperate for solitude and peace of mind. I have found that worship can serve to bring unity to community, fights against spiritual warfare in ministry, and bring me to the throne of grace and truth in my personal quiet times with the God.

Now, there are many different ways to worship the LORD. Everything we do in fact should be an act of worship. Sleeping, eating, driving, playing, talking, working...imagine :-). But what I was struck by this summer was the particular role of music and song. It's powerful. I think about Gospel Music and it's history and how a lot of it is giving up those hard things to God, reminding us to praise the Lord at all times, expressing those deep emotions in ways that normal conversation simply cannot convey.

I have found that some of my most intense intercessory and personal prayer times have been when I am stirred to sing my prayers. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, it's really powerful. This mostly happens when I am alone in my car driving somewhere.

Anyway, there is so much more to this chapter in 2 Chronicles, but I'm glad for it's focus on worship. God remains faithful to his people even after generations of idol worship and disobedience. The hearts of King Hezekiah and the others are so grateful.