Lord, guide our thoughts and strengthen our faith that we might love and serve you with our whole hearts and expand your kingdom. Amen. Psalm 96:1-3 (NIV)
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples
If today’s Christian musicians are looking for a scriptural admonition to write contemporary songs, this is the passage. For us the command is clear. We are to join in singing new songs of praise that are fitting to the times in which we live. Songs that are not foreign to the ears of people we are called to reach in this generation.
God desires that we join the whole creation in lifting our voices in songs of praise. Through these wonderful new songs we praise His name with words that proclaim His wonderful work of salvation and declare His glory and His marvelous deeds. This message of salvation sung in these wonderful new songs is not only for us it is a message that is to be directed to our friends in Austin and our neighbors throughout the world.
I have come to love the worship at Point of Grace, not only because through it we are rehearsing the great truths of scripture but also because the tunes and forms of the worship are not foreign to the ears of people new to the faith and looking for a contemporary expression of the good news of salvation. Although I must admit that singing all of the verses of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” on occasion, is a great boon to this aging Lutheran clergyman with “L” shaper corpuscles.
Lord, thank you for Christian songwriters and worship leaders who help us give expression to Biblical truths in ways that are helpful to a new generation seeking a deeper connection with you. Amen.
John