I'm Cool With That

“It is marvelous how one sweet word of God will make whole songs for Christians. One word of God is like a piece of gold, and the Christian is the gold-beater and can hammer that promise out for weeks.” – C.H. Spurgeon

“Shall We Gather at the River,” “Take Time to Be Holy,” and “We’re Marching to Zion” all have four stanzas. “He Keeps Me Singing,” “Sunlight,” and “Trust and Obey” have five stanzas each. Meanwhile, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” “The Church’s One Foundation,” and “Were You There?” all have six verses.

That’s a lot of words. Meaningful, inspiring, and deeply profound words.

All of the above-named hymns were laboriously crafted by their writers. Sometimes, the same person penned both the music and the lyrics… and sometimes one person wrote the words and another the tune. Either way, it took days, weeks, or even longer to arrive at the finished product. In my opinion, that is one of the many reasons why hymns have endured the test of time and have ministered to so many people throughout the ages.

I realize that many people, particularly younger ones, prefer contemporary Christian music including praise songs led by talented worship teams and there’s nothing wrong with that. As long as the focus is on God and not self, I’m cool with that, too. I also think it is important to have the congregation participate in the singing, not just be spectators who are drowned out by microphones and amplifiers.

The key – as Rick Warren wrote in the first sentence of The Purpose Driven Life – is to realize one thing, and one thing only. Simply put, IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! On the contrary, IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD! That goes for singing, other forms of worship, and frankly, life itself.

“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” Psalm 95:1-2

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” Psalm 96:1-2

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things.” Psalm 98:1

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2

“I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.” Psalm 101:1

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President