“Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals; and the number of those who performed their service was:” 1 Chronicles 25:1

You would think that the commanders od the army has nothing to do with temple service. BUT this is the Lord’s Army and we war not as the world wars. To win as God’s Army involves prophesying and music and making a joyful melody. These services are taken seriously. Is there even any mention of how many in the army throw a javelin or take up the bow or ride a chariot in these passages? No. But here some are designated to play the cymbal and the lyre and the harp. I think I need to take more seriously worship. (War-ship?). Perhaps praise’s side effect is like throwing grenades on God’s enemy in the spirit realm? Or true worship is just so pleasing to the Lord, and God’s enemy is annihilated when God’s heart is satisfied? Defeating God’s enemy is easy to the Lord. Could it be that getting God’s people to praise is a harder thing!

We recall that the highest archangel’s purpose was to lead the praise. When he fell and took a third of the angels with him, who took his vacated position?

I’ve always appreciated this stanza about the Son in the hymn, Father, to Thee a joyful song we raise.

How precious to Thine ear the song He sings!

How precious, too, to Thee—

How near how dear are those He brings.

To share His place

‘Twas thus that Thou didst plan;

Thou lovest Him before the world began.

The Son leads the praise of those He brings to the Father. Is there an element in the creation of man, that when mankind is told to be fruitful and multiply, that God is referring to the life of Christ even more than to having many offsprings? The Son’s life alone is worth replicating.

Lucifer quit. Well he did more than that. Was he not satisfied with his position? Was he no longer satisfied with leading the praise of the creation? Jesus, the Son of God became a man. He humbled Himself and took a place that was lower than the angels. And when he died, rose again, and ascended, true fruitfulness and multiplication came about as the Father sent the Spirit of the Son into the hearts of men by which we may all call, Abba Father. And by the same Spirit of the Son, we may be included in that innumerable throng at the Throne of God singing our new song in that day. How thrilling that in this day, we are in the company of His people on earth, raising our voices and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. In God’s house, we were created to be a royal priesthood.

Why does the Bible record the Lord Jesus and the disciples singing a hymn there in the garden of Gethsemane moments before Jesus conquers Satan, Sin, and Death on Calvary’s cross? Were they singing a triumphant war cry? Was it a worship of the Father for His good pleasure?

I don’t know. I could be totally wrong. But I’m taking our singing together more seriously. At the Lord’s Table these days, it has been so triumphant. It’s probably one of life’s greatest pleasures to partake in the grace Sonship at the Lord’s Table. And whenever we are with the brothers and sisters or even when we are by ourselves, I’m learning to sing to the Lord.

Is the pulling down of strongholds a by-product of bringing joy to the Father’s heart. Our aim and goal to pray and praise is not to get God to solve our problems, He knows what we need more than we do and He knows even the deepest desires of our hearts. Why don’t we focus on delighting in the Lord and delighting the Lord God. We are here for His good pleasure. The Son leads our praise.

Lord God, we take the Grace to be pleasing to You and to delight in You because it is the Spirit of the Son who makes us able. Take delight in the reproduction of His life in us. Just as You haven’t withhold Him from us, we will also not withhold Him from You. We delight in the Son even as You delight in Him.

In Jesus’ mighty name we sing and pray.