Do you ever stop and wonder why we do the things we do?  (I do, and it usually gets me into trouble!)  For example, have you ever touched the wall behind a “wet paint” sign to see if it is really wet? Do you let the phone ring at least twice before answering it, even if you are right there?  Ever tried vacuuming the cat? How about leaving sunglasses on top of the fridge so a midnight raid won't blind you by opening it?  Personally tested your dog’s bark collar?  Do you come unglued because the toilet paper is hanging the “wrong” way?  (And yes, there IS a right way! Ha! Ha! )

So, why do we “do church” the way we do?  Why do wefollow a consistent pattern of activities when we meet on Sunday morning, such as greeting, giving, singing, preaching?  I think it’s fair to say that tradition has much to do with it, a tradition that goes back to the earliest days of the church.   Gathering on Sunday is seen in Acts 20:7; “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…”

Okay, what about the singing?  Why do we sing every week?  Well, song has always been a hallmark of the people of the living God.  No other faith even comes close to the Judeo-Christian tradition in its high estimation of    music in its expression.

Peter tells us in his first epistle that we, as believers, are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  (1 Peter 2:9)  How’s that?  A priesthood?  In order to understand what Peter is saying, we need to know what is the biblical role of a priest.  In the Old Testament, a priest basically did two things- made intercession for the sins of the people through animal sacrifice, and offered praise, thanksgiving and worship to Yahweh in a number of ways, including song! (See 1 Chronicles 16:4).  Today, Jesus has finished the work of making intercession for our sins (hallelujah!); no man has that place and should never assume it.  “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5).  Yet, there is a role of priest that we do still have!  That’s right- to offer priestly praise, thanksgiving and worship to Yahweh!  

As we gather on Sunday morning, I exhort you- let’s begin to think of our music time less as a “song service” for our enjoyment and more as a “worship service” for the Lord’s pleasure.  This is our weekly opportunity to come together as a “royal priesthood” and truly bless the LORD with our “high praises”! (Psalm 149:6)  From now on, on Sunday mornings as you wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed for church, etc., remember- you are a priest of the Most High God, created to proclaim His praises!   

 (Linen ephods are optional...) 
For His glory,    
       Jim