This post might take you a few minutes longer to read than you think, so why not grab a cup of coffee or tea before you continue.
Some full-Gospel, charismatic congregations might say there is no life or anointing in traditional and denominational church services. After listening to this two or three times today, I would beg to differ.
The Word has been preached at the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN and the final song of worship is offered to God (with a capital G). The church orchestra preludes the congregation and choir as they all stand in reverent awe to God, and ready their hearts and voices to sing “All Hail The Power of Jesus Name.” It’s long, but the Presence of God in this final anthem of praise seems to make it not long enough for giving due honor and praise to the Almighty.
As it comes to an end, the pastor ascends the platform with his wife and holding each other arm in arm, he raises his right hand and blesses the people as Moses was commanded to do in Numbers 6:24-26. They descend and exit as the entire congregation sings, “A-men, A-men, A-men.”
In viewing what you just saw, one can clearly see what took place in the days of old when the people of God gathered to worship. 1 Chronicles 15:16, 19-22, 25, 27-29 tells us . . .
Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments — harps, lyres, and cymbals . . . The singers were to sound the bronze cymbals . . . to play harps . . . were to lead the music with lyres . . . Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites in music, was to direct the music because he was skillful . . . The priests, were to blow trumpets before the ark of God . . . David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-edom . . . Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the music leader of the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, the sound of the ram’s horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and the playing of harps and lyres. As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing . . .
Yes, orchestras are scriptural! Imagine the instruments here for a moment. Stringed instruments include piano, harp, violas, violins, mandolins, cellos, bass viols and even the Japanese koto. Horns, hmm, let’s see, trombones, french horns, trumpets, coronets, flutes, piccolos, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, organs, and oh, let’s not forget percussion instruments — the kettle and snare drums, hi-hat cymbals, triangles and chimes.
Psalm 150 commands all who have breath to praise the LORD. I bet you are one of those who has breath, huh? Take a deep one as you read this command.
1 Praise ye the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary:
praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts:
praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:
praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance:
praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals:
praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord.
The ark of the covenant of the LORD was none other than the PRESENCE of God among the people. That is what church services should be . . . a group of people gathered together in one place welcoming and joying in the PRESENCE of God. And because of the Presence of God, as he led the procession, King David danced and shouted his heart out to God.
Praise God? You might ask yourself, “Man, how and where in the world do I do that?”
Where? In the congregation of saints! That’s old King James language. What it means in today’s language is simply CHURCH. There is more than likely a church real close to where you live. The congregation of saints there probably already sing psalms and hymns, so you won’t feel out of place. Just follow along. They’ll be glad to stand right by you and sing with you, I’m sure. The congregants might even use timbrels and harps (tambourines and a piano) in their worship.
The verse below says, “Let them praise His name . . .” Nobody should ever be allowed to forbid you from praising God (with a capital G)! If they do, well, then, that kind of church might be a dead one. You know, where the Spirit of God is, there is both life and liberty.
“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints . . . Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.” ⏤Psalm 149:1, 3
. . . but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . Ephesians 5:18-19
Why not determine to go to church every week this New Year and Praise God (with a capital G)?