"LET THE PEOPLE SING"

Written by Chris McClarney

The people of God are a singing people. It’s in our DNA. As we look through Scripture, we find verse after verse exhorting us to sing our praise to God. Why singing? We could just speak our praise. But no, Scripture is emphatic that we are to sing praises. There's just something about it that shifts the atmosphere no matter how heavy or dire.

In Acts 16:25 we see this incredible account of how prayer and singing worked together.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

“Let The People Sing” has two meanings in this song. The first is “let the people sing” as in; don’t hinder our praise. You wouldn't build a fire with just one stick. It would go out almost immediately. But, if you put a whole bunch of sticks together and light it up it will burn for hours. In the same way, I think as we bring our voices together, we’re building that flame of faith that in turn ignites our own passion even stronger and hotter. You can’t stifle the singing of God’s people together.

The second “let the people sing” is an exhortation to the people of God to lift their voices. Are you feeling anxious or depressed? Sing. Are you experiencing hardship or trouble? Sing. Are you uncertain about the future? Sing. Are you sick? Worried? Tired? Lonely? Fearful? Broken? Sing!

My prayer is that you wouldn’t just listen, but that you would lift your voice and worship along, and as you lift your own voice, watch how God comes and fights your battles on your behalf. May the children of our Father God never stop singing!