Music and Worship Arts

Our Worship Team Practicing Before the Service

August 25, 2013

As introduced previously, music and worship arts can be closely linked together. I have often started to sing and “stroll” around my house as I was praising the Lord. It’s like I am declaring to the walls as well as the spirit world the greatness or goodness of God. I love going out on my deck early in the morning to praise God. I do, however, try to be courteous to my neighbors and not sing at the top of my lungs. In the summer I feel like I am welcoming the day with praise along with the birds and the rest of creation. In the winter I sense nature at rest, and it can be so beautiful when the sun begins to rise from behind our pine trees. I am inspired to praise Him even more!

Back to scripture and the word Shuwr (See post of Aug 24). Miriam, Moses and Aaron’s prophetess sister, also had a song in Exodus 15:20. As she strolled along singing, the other women joined her with timbrels and dancing. They sang, “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.” NRSV

Can’t you just see the picture of the entire group of refugees walking slowly away from the Red Sea. They had just seen an incredible miracle. When Miriam and the other women began to sing, I suspect this inspired song began to be sung by some of the others in the company. I can see them leading animals, carrying babies, pulling small carts, looking forward, following the cloud, and singing in unison just like we do today with short choruses during worship services. Perhaps the melody came to them many times throughout their journey toward their destined land. Perhaps there were times small groups of people spontaneously began to stroll along singing this song.

According to The Oxford Desk Dictionary, art is “human creative skill or its application; work showing this; branches of creative activity concerned with the projection of imaginative designs, sounds, or ideas; creative activity resulting in visual representation.” God had given Miriam a song. I believe the music and movement was beautiful in the sight of God. It wasn’t canvas that He was preparing for His vision. He had a dream in His heart, and the dream was just beginning to take shape.

So what did this movement represent? I believe it represented a moving forward. God had done something miraculous right before their eyes, a supernatural feat. Their enemy was defeated and they were now free, but they still had a ways to go. God was just beginning to mold them into a people that would carry God’s dream forward to its designated time.

Worship arts is often about painting a prophetic picture. This prophetic particular picture is still relevant for us today. God does a great miracle in our lives when we choose to follow Him as Israel did. The enemy is not pleased with this change, and wants us to stay in a place of bondage to him. Through the power of the cross our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus and the enemy is defeated, but the journey is just beginning for us. We must be trained in the ways of a new kingdom with a different sort of king. Along the way He gives us new songs and new revelations to carry on our journey to fulfill His dream of a bride for His son.

 Consider your journey and stroll through your day singing a new song of praise.