Spiritual Development August 2016
An unfortunate way of thinking exists that says something newer should be preferred to something older. Now this logic does make sense in some regards. Do you really want to go back to the days when dial-up internet was the only option? Also, I don’t know about you, but I am thankful that our primary means of transportation no longer has to be hitched to a post. Aside from these and other technological exceptions, applying this preference for the new to other things can rob you of the riches of days gone by. As I think of how this mindset has affected the church in our culture, I can’t help but immediately think of music within the church. There is a danger within our contemporary, Christian culture of ignoring and glossing over hymns of the faith that have been around for centuries just because of their age. To some, they can seem antiquated and irrelevant to our current time. Let me say that I am glad that our church does not do this. I’m glad that we are a church that cherishes older hymns, as well as newer worship songs.
Some of my favorite songs are hymns that are hundreds of years old. But I also have songs that mean much to me that are less than a year old. My point behind this article is to point out that the age of a song should not be the determining factor of whether or not it should be used. Instead, the content of the song should determine this. Is it saturated in Scripture? Does it communicate orthodox theology? Is it a pleasure to sing? If not, throw it out.
Music is a primary tool that we use in order to worship God corporately as a church and personally throughout our day. One practice that I sometimes incorporate into my time with God, and one that I would commend to you as well, is that I will open a hymnal and reflect and meditate on the words of songs and hymns that are saturated with gospel truth. This can be a great supplement to daily quiet time and a way of carrying the truth of Scripture with you in the form of a song wherever you go.
One of my favorite hymns is “How Firm a Foundation”. This song emphasizes the strength and stability of God and the absolute trustworthiness of his character. It is based off of Isaiah 43:1-5 and is supplemented by other verses like 1 Cor. 3:11, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:35-39, Hebrews 13:5, and Deuteronomy 31:6. The first two verses read:
How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
for I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to
stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”
Do you need assurance of faith? Do you feel alone and weak? Meditate on the truth of this song and sing it in worship to God. Feeling tempted to despair? Are you lacking hope? Be reminded of the character of God and praise him for his ability to sustain you and raise you up in Jesus’ victory. Songs should not become a substitute for the Scriptures themselves, but they are a tool to remind you of Truth through music.
If you want to enhance your worship of God at our Sunday morning gatherings, I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the songs that we sing from week to week. Search the Scriptures throughout the week to learn what passage a certain song is based
upon. This will increase your participation and appreciation of worshiping God through music. Music is a blessing and a gift from God. Let us use it to make much of God and remind ourselves of the firm foundation that we have in his excellent Word – Jesus Christ.
Suggested Resources
Hymns of Grace, The Master’s Seminary Press, 2015
www.hymnary.org
Speaking the Truth in Love,
Nick Scott