One God, One Grace, One Song

By David Parker

I love it when our church sings. Those of us who serve on the worship team have the best seat in the house, because we get to see your faces while you worship. You're dealing with hardship, family strife, trouble in the workplace, and fighting against the constant onslaught of your sinful flesh and the enemy's lies...and on Sunday, you lift up your faces, lift up your voices, and sing for joy. Psalm 34:4-5 says "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant and their faces will never be ashamed."

I love scanning the crowd and remembering what God is doing in each of your lives. That builds my faith. God is not done working in His people, and the evidence is right in front of me.

That's a kind of encouragement I simply can't get if I'm alone. Times of personal, private prayer and worship are important, but nothing can replace the corporate gathering of God's people on the Lord's day, all bearing witness to His goodness through song.

Nearly two years ago, we turned our rows of seats inward on an angle to allow one side of the aisle to more easily see the other during our times of corporate worship. Don't forget why we did that. As you sing to the Lord on Sunday, every once in a while, steal a glance at the people around you, especially people that you know well. Remind yourself of what's happening. Give God glory for the way He's showing them grace in that very moment. Remind yourself that the same God Who is sanctifying them and is holding them together is the One Who is sanctifying you and holding you together.

Lord, thank You for the gift of worshiping together—make us ever mindful that as we lift our voices to You, we are also bearing witness to Your grace at work in one another’s lives.