My Fellow Worship Leaders:
I wanted to share something with you from I Chronicles 16–a song of praise by King David written and sung after He brought the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. It encouraged me as a worship leader and I know it will do the same for you as you persevere in encouraging your teams to lead with strength and joy.
“Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.
Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
Honor and majesty surround Him;
strength and joy fill His dwelling.”
(I Chron 16:23-27)
This passage reiterated to me what we’re called to do as believers who sing and lead our families in worship:
Each day (and particularly on each Sunday) proclaim the good news that God saves!
We are heralds of the gospel, publishers of the glorious deeds of our great God. We set an example of fearing only the Lord (and we rely on His grace to help us fear only Him) because He alone is most worthy of our praise, adoration and awe. We also remind each other that honor and majesty surround our Savior King and that strength and joy fill His dwelling place. And He has made His dwelling with us.
So, every Sunday morning when you remind your teams to lead with strength and joy, you’re effectively reminding them that God is the supplier of our strength and joy as He dwells in us and among us. And with the great strength and joy that He provides, we’re able to faithfully serve Him and His church from one day to the next as we persevere in proclaiming with our voices and instruments that our God saves and is most worthy of praise.
Here are three psalms to remind you that God is the source of our strength and joy:
“Send out Your light and Your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise You with my harp, O God, my God!” (Psalm 43:3-4).
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (Psalm 16:8-11).
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him.” (I Chron. 16:8-11)
I ask God to give you great rest and refreshing joy in His presence as you seek the Lord and His strength each day.