The Sound of Worship

"Acts 1:23-2:21

Sounds of celebration

Before we look at the sounds of celebration, it is worth noting that there is another mention of sound in this passage. When David enquired of the Lord whether he should go on the attack, the Lord first answered, ‘Go’ (5:19). Then, the second time he enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered, ‘Do not go straight up, but … As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly’ (vv.23–24). It is not clear exactly what this means. However, it is an evocative expression. Perhaps, it means that as soon as we hear that God is on the move, we should act quickly.

God gave David victory, and this led to a great celebration. ‘David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals’ (6:5). It must have been extremely noisy! 

David danced and worshiped God in a very demonstrative way: ‘David, wearing a linen ephod,danced before the Lord with all his might … David’s wife, Michal, was embarrassed and despised him for his display of passion (vv.14,16).

David replies that he will continue to worship even more passionately and boldly than before: ‘David said to Michal … “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this” ’ (vv.21–22). Here, we see a biblical example of loud and uninhibited celebration. There is a warning in this passage against looking down or despising the way others express their worship to God (v.23). Of course, we must avoid exhibitionism. But David’s exuberance came from the heart and was a genuine act of celebration.

We need to be sensitive to those around us – especially, for example, in the early weeks of Alpha when there are lots of people around who are not used to exuberant worship. However, generally we should feel free to express our worship to God as passionately as we want, not worrying about what other people might think of us.

Lord, help us to recognise the sounds of heaven – the sound of worship, the sound of the Holy Spirit and the sound of celebration. May the churches again be filled with the sound of worship and celebration. May every Alpha Weekend be filled with the sound of the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. May this further increase the sound of worship and celebration to the glory of your name."

1. Thank You that I can express my worship to You and may I be sensitive also to those around me. 

2. Thank You for some progress in learning Vietnamese and the responsibility to be able to translate and help friends choose what to eat. 

3. Thank You for gifting artists to create wonderful stories like Inside Out. It was truly touching.