Is Our Worship "Just Singing?"

Songs of worship have a distinct sound. And it’s not always about the words, though definitely a worship song should be exalting God. But sometimes even when the words are right, it doesn’t really sound like there truly is worship going on. It’s also not always about the style of the music. It has little to do with whether there are drums or if it is fast or slow or if there is a pipe organ playing. It’s more about what is there or what is missing in the hearts of the worshipers.

When Moses and Joshua were up on the mountain having an experience with God which included getting the original set of the 10 commandments, God told them they had better get back down the mountain to the camp because the people had lost control of themselves and had made a golden calf and were indulging in revelry.

As they approached the camp, Joshua and Moses had a conversation.

Exodus 32:17-18 (NIV)
When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.” Moses replied: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat: it is the sound of singing that I hear.”

Interesting. What Moses heard was JUST SINGING. It wasn’t worship, it wasn’t the blues, it wasn’t like one of the old spirituals like “Swing Low” which cries out for Gods help… it was literally NOTHING. No substance. It sounded powerful and war-like which our worship sometimes needs to be, but there was no power. EMPTY.

These people were so energetic that it sounded like warfare. They weren’t just singing… they were shouting. Remember the context. They had just bowed down to a golden calf and had even made sacrifices to it followed by revelry which probably included drinking and dancing. But it was all done in a seemingly proper way in the context of how other nations worshiped their gods which was what the Israelite s wanted to emulate. Aaron had told them that the golden calf represented God. The calf was supposedly symbolic of God. The problem is that this completely opposed the way God wanted to be known and worshiped. He had told them that He was to always remain the “unseen” God. He said to never make “graven images” about anything to worship including Him. This is why committed followers of Jesus who follow His word don’t worship paintings of Him, statues of Him or of any other disciples, patriarchs, saints or anyone else. Because when we do, we commit the same sin of worshiping a golden calf. We aren’t even supposed to worship the cross. Is it ok to have a cross around your neck or at the front of the church? Sure! Just don’t worship it or think there is any power in that emblem. Your power only comes through a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ!

This is why Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to only focus our eyes on things that are unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.

I have been in worship services that are marked by the presence of God and I have been in services that were empty. Sometimes the best services had terrible music because the sound system wasn’t great and the talent of the leaders wasn’t up to the level of others. But it was really from a heart that is committed to Jesus. I’ve been in some services that were awesome with incredible sounds, lights, talent that could be on an album and there was just an emptiness.

On a side note, I’m not saying that it is ok to have inferior worship. The Bible also instructs us to develop our skills and to sing and play instruments with excellence, but the condition of the heart is the most important thing.

What I want is worship that isn’t just singing. I want it for myself and I want it for the assembly that I pastor! I want worship that is marked with the presence and power of God! Worship that pleases God and transforms us!

So what do we need to do? We need to worship Jesus from a heart that burns for Him. We need to do what it takes to be in relationship with Him, communication with Him while we are worshipping. It takes repentance to do this. Asking God to forgive us of our sins, allowing the Holy Spirit to search us and to show us the changes that we need to make. This kind of worship requires us to reject the “just singing along” mentality. Because if we are just singing along, then it is probably JUST SINGING.