Image from worldchallenge.org
Hear/See (On Spotify) the podcast: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Who-Loves-New-Songs--HINT-Congregations-usually-dont-e1qhdnh
1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right. 2 God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do. 3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israel - indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look - God's work of salvation! 4 Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! 5 Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir. 6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God. 7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in. 8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finale - 9 A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He'll straighten out the whole world, He'll put the world right, and everyone in it. (Psalm 98 The Message Bible)
I've shared this story before, from the days of my DSing. A fellow DS had in his district a small congregation that was "pastored" by a lay leader. He had his Sunday services down pat. He would bring with him every Sunday, a Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits CD and that was the congregational music for each Sunday's worship. Their average worship each Sunday was about ten. Now, what makes this story sad is that this church rented out their worship space to three different congregations, who would use it during the hours the UM congregation was not using it. Each congregation grew beyond the size limits of that small church and moved to established large congregations. And every Sunday the Red-Headed Stranger sang Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground, which was exactly where this "pastor" was driving it.
I started this devotional by asking how many of us like new songs? The hint gives that question away, because as a pastor trying to plan worship, it becomes so easy to choose Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, and other Top-Ten hymn chart toppers. Congregations are not shy about saying they don't like new songs. Yet, here is the Psalmist saying we who believe shouls "sing to God a brand-new song." He is saying God deserves to be praised in new ways, not because the tired and true are bad, but we should explore new ways to thank God and praise God. And he begins to outline the just-whys we should write these new songs. He's the Creator of this world of wonders. He's an involved God Who is not afraid to get His fingernails dirty and rolls up his sleeves to accomplish just what needs to be done. God introduced us to salvation, and showed the world just what He could do. He's also a God Who never too busy to "remember" to love us. The psalmist calls it a "bonus," this "indefatigable love." This work draws attention to this that God is doing. This should help all believers start a nonstop worship service of praise by shouting our praises, and letting loose and singing. And why not add a band to this praise? The psalmist has the idea! An orchestra, and why not a 100-voice choir with trumpets and trombones! Let all the air be filled with the sounds of praise and worship!
Ever the animatpr with vision, he sees the ocean and the fish involved, as well as every living thing joining in, with the ocean breakers calling, "Encore!" And add the mountains can harmonize the finale. All as a tribute to God, when He comes, for when He comes, He will set the world right; the entire world will be straightened out, and we with it!
PRAYER: Awesome God, let us join in this new way of praising God. We need all our senses involved in knowing and sharing the greatness of God. May our eyes, ears, noses, and touch be blessed by the praises of God; and include us in the making of all things right! This we pray and work for, in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Touch someone with kindness and praise of God.
PRAYER UPDATE: The Rev. Dr. David Maldonado is home after his heart procedure. We give God thanks for this and ask that we continue to pray for his complete recovery. Thank you for your prayers.
Receive my love and thanks for being a part of this ministry! May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
