Worship…2/26/12
As worshipers, according to 1 Corinthians 14:15, we are responsible to sing with the spirit and to sing with understanding (does this remind you of another familiar passage?…John 4 23-24 perhaps). I believe God incorporates the use of art [namely poetry (Psalms) and music, as it applies most commonly today, but to things that are visibly beautiful as well (the priestly garments, per se, as found in Exodus 28)] in His people’s worship because it appeals to the emotional components of our nature, and facilitates our engaging in spirit. Words and sounds artfully constructed contain essentially the potential to affect a person’s spirit in ways that purely intellectual thinking does not (this is not to say that art is the only way of affecting emotions). However, all art, in order to be pleasing to God, must be founded upon God’s truth. This is the thrust of 1 Corinthians 14:15. That done in spirit but with no understanding is, ultimately, unfruitful. This places upon us the burden of understanding as fully as possible that which we offer to God as a sacrifice…as a song. With this in mind, I have asked the members of our Worship Ministry to share their thoughts concerning the songs we sing week to week. I pray that which we share here will help you grow in singing with understanding.
Following are Robert Dean’s thoughts concerning the song Forever I Am:
“On the surface, Forever I Am seems very simple, but the words contain many biblical truths I think are important. The first line of this song is taken from Psalm 139:14. To me, it means that we are created with a capacity to live in reverent fear of God, his awesome power and majesty, that we are incapable of understanding fully. We are wonderfully made, as the scriptures say, because we are the only beings on the earth that were made in the image of God, the creator. Being made in his image shows how much He loves each one of us, even in the midst of our transgressions against Him.
The next line of the song really speaks to me. I will never be able to fully understand why God loves me or why he chose to sacrifice His perfect Son for ME. I am reminded of the crucifixion of Christ, the excruciatingly painful, horrible way in which he allowed himself to be killed by US. This supreme sacrifice is even more astonishing when you realize that the Lamb whose blood was spilt was and is the only perfect, sinless being who has ever lived. To think that God loves me to point of allowing his Son to be bear my sins makes no sense, but I know it is the truth. In knowing I have been reconciled to God through Christ, I give praise!
Galations 3:14 says He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. The blood of Christ redeemed us, made us clean and blameless in the sight of God, and made it possible for all of mankind to have a personal relationship with God. The fact of the matter is that not one of us deserved this sacrifice, but it was given freely by Christ for us to the glory of the Father. When becoming a believer in Christ, we are cleansed and given a new life. What we do with this new life is the true testimony of our faith. However, once you become a member of the family of God, you are always a member. We use the term always very loosely, but I tell you truthfully, the always of God is forever. There will be no end to the new life we receive after death. Thus, I am His, forever, I am.
Verse 2 of the song speaks to the manner in which we are saved…”wondrously and marvelously saved”. We should be filled with awe and wonder at the redemption through Christ. Why did God choose to redeem mankind? We certainly don’t deserve it, we don’t cherish the horrible price that was paid for it. Yet, even while I was a sinner, Christ died for me so that I would no longer be lost in the wilderness of sin and impurity. Only through the mercy and grace of God, through Christ is this redemption made possible. Praise be to God for this marvelous sacrifice!! For without it, we would be lost for all of eternity.
I hope that I have been able to impart some of the incredible truths spoken through this song. It is a beautiful reminder of what God did for us through his Son Christ Jesus. I only hope I have been able to relay how important these truths have become to me in my personal walk with God. I strive to learn more and become more like him every day. I am so grateful that the leaders of my church body strive with intentionality to help me in this journey. All honor and glory to the most wonderful God!”
This week’s order is:
Bless His Name
Blessed Be Your Name
Forever I Am
Lord Most High
Christ is Risen
You are So Good to Me
