Sing to Him - The Crosswalk Devotional - June 28

Sing to Him
By Whitney Hopler

“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” – 1 Chronicles 16:9, NIV 

I sometimes sing my prayers to God, and I also love to sing praise songs at home or in my car. Singing helps me focus on using the unique voice God has given me to connect with him. It’s also an enjoyable way to express myself. When I want to celebrate something wonderful God has done, I naturally feel like singing. Lately, I’ve been singing the simple yet beautiful praise song “I Love You, Lord” by Laurie Klein, a cappella and spontaneously whenever I want to thank God for something. That song begins: “I love you, Lord/And I lift my voice/To worship You/Oh, my soul, rejoice!”. Lifting my voice to worship God by singing makes me feel personally connected to God and inspires me to rejoice at God’s wonderful work in my life. 

There is something uniquely powerful about singing. It transcends the spoken words we use in regular conversations and often take for granted. Singing taps into a deep spiritual part of us. In 1 Chronicles 16:9, the Bible encourages us to sing praise to God to tell of his wonderful acts. Music has a way of embedding itself into our memories and emotions. That makes singing a powerful way to celebrate the wonderful ways God is working in our lives. Singing praise to God is a form of worship that not only honors God but also reminds us of his goodness and power. Each of us has a unique voice – a distinct way of expressing ourselves. When we sing, we engage this God-given gift in a personal and profound way. Our voices become instruments of praise that resonate with our individual experiences and emotions. This uniqueness reflects our personal journeys with God. So, singing helps us to discover and use our unique voices to connect with God more deeply. 

When we feel joyful, songs of praise can amplify our joy, turning our rejoicing into an offering to God. When we feel sad, singing can lift our spirits and help us find comfort in God’s presence. The act of singing praises to God can transform our perspective by shifting our focus from our circumstances to God’s greatness. Singing can be a powerful tool for self-expression and connection with God because it involves our whole selves – body, mind, and spirit. The physical act of singing engages our breath, creating a sense of presence and grounding in our bodies. The mental focus required to remember lyrics and melodies sharpens our minds. Spiritually, singing opens us up to the Holy Spirit, making room for a stronger connection between our spirits and God’s Spirit. 

We never need to worry about how good our voices sound musically when we’re singing to God. God’s focus isn’t on our music talents and skills; it’s on us authentically expressing ourselves to him. God listens with love when we sing to him from our hearts. When we lift our voices in song to God with simple and genuine praise, we can notice God’s presence with us and feel God’s love for us. The songs we sing in worship are not just musical pieces; they’re declarations of God’s wonderful character and acts. 

So, as you think of God’s wonderful work in your life, sing praises to him – not just as a ritual, but as a heartfelt expression of your love and gratitude. Let your voice tell the story of God’s amazing grace and unfailing love. Your unique God-given voice is a valuable gift. When you use it to sing God’s praises, you celebrate not only his wonderful acts, but also the individual way God has created you to connect with him.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how singing can help you celebrate God’s wonderful work in your life, reflect on these questions:

• Can you recall a time when a worship song helped you feel closer to God or gave you strength during a difficult time?
• What are some of God’s wonderful acts in your life that you can celebrate through singing?
• How can you incorporate singing into your daily devotional time?
• How does using your unique voice by singing strengthen your personal connection with God? 

Further Reading:
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
Psalm 95:1
Psalm 100:2
Psalm 150:6

Photo Credit: ©Nathan Mullet/Unsplash 

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.

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