November 6 Thought for Today – “Noise or Symphony?” “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!” – Psalm 100:1 (AKJV) “Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!” – Psalm 98:6 (NLT) Though at first glance these verses appear to be in conflict, a careful reading of the two Psalms proves otherwise. In Psalm 100 the emphasis is on spontaneous joy expressed by God’s people for His love as our Shepherd. “Shout with joy to the Lord,” it says, “Come before Him, singing with joy.” Psalm 98 portrays “melodious song” accompanied by “the harp, trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.” Under skilled direction, voices and instruments can make “a joyful symphony.” Taken together, these two Psalms illustrate the role both play in our joyful worship of the Lord. Surely, nothing is sweeter to hear than the sound of children singing “Jesus Loves Me” with abandon, a mother singing hymns as she prepares a meal, or 10,000 men singing their hearts out at a Promise Keeper’s event. Their voices may not be trained, but the sound they make is palpable evidence of the joy in their hearts for God and His love. It may be one of mankind’s most heart-felt ways to express our emotions. Compare that simple “joyful noise” with the magnificence of Handel’s Messiah performed by a full orchestra and a choir of trained voices. From its opening strains to the final majestic “Hallelujah Chorus,” we sit enthralled at how Handel “married” the lyrics of Charles Jennen to a score which has become one of Christendom’s most respected works. It moves our hearts to great adoration for the Lord, our King, but requires many skilled musicians and hours of practice to bring to perfection. To me, “make a joyful noise” or “a joyful symphony” illustrates the pleasure God takes when we use the talents He has given us to praise him, singly or together. Whether it be the “joyful noise” of a “shower singer” or the majestic tones of a trained operatic baritone, God loves both. I believe He also takes as much joy in the sound of a solitary flute as He does in several instruments joined together as one. And when many musicians rehearse together as a team for hours to meld their voices and instruments into blended harmony, the end result gives musical meaning to the phrase, “in one accord.” God has called His children to worship Him both with their voices and their instruments. Even before the Temple was built, King David appointed members of the priestly tribe to minister “at the house of the Lord” with voices and instruments (see 1 Chronicles 6). The records of the New Testament church in the Book of Acts do not indicate the use of trained musicians in those early worship services. But we must remember the church was just getting underway, and did not yet have church buildings, trained ministers, or any other of the accoutrements now commonly used. However, since God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” I have no doubt that he would have approved in the first century and still approves of us when we worship with “lyres, harps and cymbals” as well as with our voices. Individually, we represent His ambassadors, and our “joyful noise” and “symphonies” help us to be “winsome” to those around us. As individual believers, our “joyful noise” should be one of the traits which attract others to us. As a congregation, when we work together like a symphony, we can accomplish great works in His Name. God uses both to draw men to Him. “David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments— lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.” 1 Chronicles 13:8 Selah! copsonthestreet
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 11:53:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015