What if God Doesn't Like Our Songs?

Amos 1-5; Psalm 131; Proverbs 29:23

People love their songs. Even those who don’t sing well love songs. We all love the feelings we have when our hearts and souls seem to be perfectly expressed by the words and lyrics of our songs.

Especially in church.

Right? I mean, the whole service is called a WORSHIP service. But we value our praise songs so highly that when we say, “Our time of worship,” we almost always, 100% of the time, think about singing. When we say, “Our worship time,” we don’t think about prayer, we don’t think about reading and listening to the words of the Scriptures, we don’t think about sharing testimonies, we don’t think about giving tithes or offerings, we don’t think about listening to a sermon, and we certainly don’t think—when we’re talking about worship—we certainly don’t think about obeying God’s teachings and guidance throughout the week.

I like our songs. But does God?

Not always:

Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! – Amos 5:23-24

God isn’t saying, “Away with the noise of your songs,” just because people are singing off-key. His goal isn’t for the music to be better, more professional and edgy and skillful. What God is saying is that He doesn’t care about our music if our lives aren’t synchronized with His Word.

If our relationship with God is expressed more deeply when we sing than at any other time of the week, then God wants us to stop singing and focus instead on righteous, holy living.

Father, may You receive more worship from me than just nice words and emotive music. May my worship rise to You in every interaction with my wife, every encounter with my children, every meeting with a neighbor, every conversation with a stranger. Whether I’m alone or in public, worn out or energized, at home or at work or at church, may my life be holy and righteous—a symphony of non-musical worship to You.

What simple ways has God shown you by which to worship and honor Him daily?