Growing up we would sing a song with the refrain “rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” We had fun with it as children because it was like “the song that never ends.” As my faith in Christ matures, a song like this still makes me chuckle but it also reminds me God is always deserving of our praise! God has gifted each and every one of us a unique expression of ourselves and, in turn, it’s important to use those expressions in thanksgiving with honor and praise.
Music is a powerful expression of rejoicing. As Christians, music in our services has been what helps us remember and respond to the goodness of God, His grace and mercy, and sovereignty over all. While the music alone isn’t what worship is about, it’s a very strong corporate expression of our inner or individual praise. This is true whether we are an instrumentalist in the band, choir member, cantor, organist, or a part of the congregation.
Our worship experiences—our rejoicing in the Lord–change us within and reflect what the writer Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
My prayer is that our rejoicing in the goodness of God will spur us on to share the gospel in our homes, jobs, school, and throughout the world in whatever we do. May the lyrics and stanzas we sing and recite be impressed in our hearts and on our minds regardless of what style music or worship service you experience. And may we embody full expression of God’s goodness, whatever that looks like for each of us!
