In a minute I’ll share something special that is happening at Bethel this Wednesday, but first I wanted to talk a little bit about music.
Did you know that God makes music? “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
God isn’t the only one who sings. The angels in heaven also sing. “… the morning stars The Bible also talks about believers here on earth getting together in order to sing praises to God. Paul tells Christians to be “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19–20). Joyful singing isn’t just in the New Testament. Here are some examples from the Old Testament: “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, ‘I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously…’ ” (Exodus 15:1). “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:2). “And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His deeds in songs of joy!” (Psalm 107:22). Actually, some of the followers of Christ will be singing to God throughout eternity. The Apostle John was given a peek into heaven, and he saw that everyone around God’s throne “… fell down before the Lamb, [Jesus Christ] each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth’” (Revelation 5:8–10). Since we know that Christians sing, angels sing, and God sings, we know that God loves joyful music! I hope you do, too. Why is there so much singing in the Bible (mentioned at least 120 times)? Christians don’t just sing because God wants us to do it. We sing joyful praises to God every time we gather because we love the One we are singing to. Our worship music is genuinely happy because we have so much to be happy about. Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote 8,989 hymns by averaging 10 lines of poetry every day for 50 years. If you have given your heart and life to Jesus Christ because He has paid your full sin debt, then you will enjoy Wesley’s hymn “Rejoice, the Lord is King.” Rejoice, the Lord is King: your Lord and King adore; Rejoice, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore: Lift up your heart; lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice. Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love; When he had purged our stains, he took his seat above: Lift up your heart; lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice. He sits at God’s right hand till all his foes submit, And bow to his command, and fall beneath his feet: Lift up your heart; lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice. This Wednesday, September 17th) at 7:00 PM, here at Bethel Chapel Church (at “K” and Lycoming Streets) we are providing an extra special opportunity for our community to enjoy music. We’ve invited G. Richard Deal back again this year. He is a world-famous concert pianist who has performed more than 2,600 concerts in Europe, Asia, North and South America. He has also appeared with symphony orchestras and has performed at Chicago’s historic Orchestra Hall. This will be the first time that Mr. Deal will be playing on our new grand piano designed by Steinway. It may be the most beautiful piano in Juniata, and now you can hear it played by a world-class pianist. This concert is for everyone, regardless of religious background. Concerts like this are usually expensive, but this one is free. An offering will be taken to help with Mr. Deal’s expenses. Light refreshments will be served following the concert, and a nursery is provided for small children. I hope you’ll join us for the concert. I love to meet readers of my column. Most of all, though, I want you to come for YOU. Listening to the beautiful sounds of Christ-honoring music will draw you closer to God Himself!
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