Last Saturday we celebrated the life of Don Neely, long time member of Valley Church and a life-long singer. Don and Anita were both active members of the Valley Church choir as well as a German choir. I always loved having Don sit behind us in the congregation, because with him singing in my ear, I felt like I could sing so much better. His perfect pitch definitely helped keep me in tune. Now Don is enjoying the Lord’s presence and the beautiful music of heaven. (Rev. 19:1)
Why do we sing? Usually it’s because there is something worth singing about! Ask any baseball fan why they want to be taken out to the ball game – to cheer for their favorite team! Ask any lover why they sing a love song – it’s because they want the world to know they have someone they admire.
In North American culture most of us don’t sing in public. Most of us just keep it to the shower… and some for good reason! So if the idea of singing in public seems strange, the notion of God singing would border on the ridiculous! Add to that crazy idea that God would actually be singing over ME! It sounds too good to be true!
And yet the Bible says, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. This Sunday we’ll see how Zephaniah destroys five arguments against God’s loving expression of joy over His people!
Don’t be fooled into thinking that God is just overlooks our sinful state. Like the other minor prophets, Zephaniah warns people repeatedly about the coming “day of the Lord”. He calls people to repentance and warns them of coming judgment. But unlike Nahum last week, there is a resounding crescendo of praise at the end of this little book. Read all three chapters before Sunday. I’m sure you’ll sing a little louder during worship time if you do!
In Christ,
Kurt