TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

 Please read Psalm 100

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

Psalm‬ ‭100:2

DEVOTIONAL

by Sandra Chua

I once curiously observed a fellow who would always come in promptly just about when the message in the worship service would begin. I found out later that he would join the Sunday School praise and worship because he found it more energetic and alive. 

It is sad but true; as a Chinese church, we are mostly very shy when it comes to singing. I observed the congregation swaying slowly to the music, and many praise and worship leaders reported how sad they felt when they saw very few lips singing. 

Today’s reading tells us to do three things.  

#1 Go before Him with joyful singing. #2 Acknowledge God who made us. #3 Give thanks to God.

Verse 1 even exhorts us to “shout” joyfully to the Lord. Why would we do that? Should we not, in all reverence, sing solemnly with bowed heads? 

The psalmist gives two simple reasons why the Lord is worthy to be praised with joyful singing. First, in verse 3, he reminds us that He is our Maker. We are His sheep. Second, in verse 5, he reminds He is good, His loving-kindness endures forever. God is always faithful.

So, what is joyful singing? Are we to shout mindlessly like rock stars? I believe joyful singing is singing from the heart. We sing to acknowledge the God who made us. We sing to give thanks to God for all that He has done. John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” Because of our reserved culture, we may never see more than 4 or 5  people raising their hands in deep worship, but for you and I, who are reading this psalm, what runs in our thoughts as we sing praise to God? How are we honoring Him, who deserves all our praise? 

May the Lord be merciful and forgive us when we simply mouth the songs we sing. May we, even those who are tone-deaf, sing from the heart and joyfully because our Creator is good!

 

PRAYER