Faith and Family

If I Could Sing

BY DONNA WHARTENBY

Have you ever uttered to yourself or others, “If I could sing..”?

What would you sing? To whom would you sing?

Hearing someone sing can bring excitement and joy. It can compel you to join their melodious voice, whether shouting to the rooftops or in a breathy whisper. Your heart and whole being sings! There is such power in music. It’s inviting, engaging, and addictive. Singing can evoke strong emotions such as joyfulness or sadness, which at times can bring tears. You have been there, haven’t you?

Singing can tell a story. In Genesis 15, Moses and the Israelites sang the “Song of Moses and Miriam” in celebration of God’s victory over Pharoah and his army after they were hurled into the Red Sea. Singing tells the story of love in a ballad, shouts our Hallelujahs, and puts a child to sleep with a hushed lullaby.

Singing is a style of worship and praise to Whom we sing and about what we sing. Worship centers our attention, our hearts, our minds, and our whole being on the God of the universe. It does not matter how we sing or whether we can or cannot sing melodiously. What matters is worshiping God with all your heart. Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV) instructs us to Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His. The significance is giving God all the praise.

Have you considered the reasons we sing? Psalm 96 tells us to sing to the Lord, praise His name, and declare God’s glory. Jehovah God is worthy of our praise. He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, “above all else.” Our songs of worship and praise honor El Elyon, the Most High God. We bow down to Him in reverence and love.

Have you investigated which of God’s creatures sing? In the early morning, birds sing among the branches, announcing a new day. Whales, known for their vocal abilities, like birds and humans, sing for the sheer joy of it. Researchers have discovered whales sing hit songs, which are heard around the world. I am sure the cacophony of singing in the universe elates our Creator. The book of Psalms encourages us to sing, shout to the Lord, and come before Him with joyful songs. God rejoices with singing (Zephaniah 3:17), or He would not have given us the ability to sing. Even the mute can sing with their hands. Singing brings overflowing joy to our heavenly Father’s heart when He hears His creatures sing in tribute to Him.

Worshipping God through song overflows our hearts with joy, as well. Psalm 108:1 states My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being. Colossians 3:16 (NIV) tells us to sing songs with thankfulness in our hearts. El Roi, the God who sees and knows you, is glorified when we sing for Him.

Songs such as “How Great is Our God,” “Oh, How He Loves You and Me,” “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” and “Worthy of Every Song” remind us He is deserving of our praise.

Singing promotes joy and love. It brings shouts of gladness, tears of sadness, and lullabies for sleepy babies. Creatures sing to call out or tell a story. Singing presents loving worship and praise to the One who deserves all the glory.

Are you ready? Now is the time to shout to the universe, “I will sing!”

Donna grew up in a Christian home and attended weekly church with her family. She and her husband, Keith, have been married for 38 years and together have a son.

Donna loves singing, traveling, and spending vacations and holidays with her three grandchildren. She’s passionate about teaching and facilitates ladies’ Bible studies and small groups. Family is important to her, which is why Donna is delighted to write this Faith and Familycolumn for Voice of Truth magazine.