Why They Don't Sing On Sunday Anymore

This past Sunday morning, I prepared in my office for the morning worship and teaching by reading and meditating on Psalm 118. It was so moving for me in my personal devotions that I chose to share it in our time of corporate worship. It truly is a great Psalm, focusing on the greatness of God, but even more, speaking of the importance of our expression of gratitude and thanksgiving toward our great God.

I was nearly compelled to have the congregation declare together, "His love endures forever," but refrained as I continued to share the entirety of this passage. Why is it, I wonder, that we struggle to declare the goodness of God. I have seen articles floating around the internet for years now that tear down one style or format of worship or another. Everyone has an opinion and everyone has a better idea for how things are to be done. But what does Scripture tell us about our worship of the Almighty? Verse 15 of Psalm 118 is just one picture of the worship of God's children:

Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:

"The LORD'S right hand has done mighty things! The LORD'S right hand is lifted high;

the LORD'S right hand has done mighty things!" - Psalm 118:15

When I read passages like this, I imagine groups of worshipers, gathered together, shouting at the top of their voices the greatness, the goodness, the power and authority of their God. But when we attempt to lead our people in this kind of worship response, we are often met with blank stares and half-hearted participation.

What has happened? Is it because our music is too loud? Is it because we use an electric guitar? Is it because we have a choir or because we do not? Is it because we sing from the screen or because we sing from the hymnal? Is it because we have too many young people on the stage or because we have too many older people on the stage? Is it my jeans or is it my tie? Is it because you don't know the song or because you've sung the song too many times?

(Put on your steel toe boots)

It's you. It's your heart. It's your selfishness and desire to have it your way or no way. It's the fact that you can't get over whatever it is that's bothering you and be a participator rather than a critic. It's the fact that you are so focused on what you have decided is wrong or imperfect or not goo enough that you completely miss the point of what God is doing in the hearts and lives of the people around you. It's you.

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