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SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 15:19-21

Miriam and the women of Israel sing and dance to celebrate the deliverance of Isreal and the destruction of the Egyptian army.

REFLECTION

The theme for today’s reflection is, make a song and dance out of it. Miriam and the women of Israel could not hide their joy when the Lord delivered the nation Israel from the pursuit of the Egyptian army. “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” (Exodus 15:20-21). 

Music and dance have the potency to be infectious and irresistible. Believers must endeavor to make songs of praise to God infectious and irresistible for others. Church musicians, choirs and those who are called in to church music ministry must ensure that they perform with enthusiasm and give the best of their ability to make their song ministrations infectious and irresistible by other worshippers. From Exodus 15:20 we learn that Miriam was the first to take a tambourine in her hand and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. If those who lead song ministration and those who play instruments will minister with passion and appreciation to God for their own salvation, there will be an infectious effect and spontaneous reaction towards song ministrations in the house of God. Worshippers  will easily join in the singing of songs of praise and dancing to glorify God. 

Many songs of praise in our worship service have been composed to bear testimony to God’s awesomeness and faithfulness. David is a  key example when it comes to making songs and dancing out of them. Many of the Psalms have been attributed to David. David’s songs of praise are borne out of his relationship, experience, and gratitude to the Lord. “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!” (Psalms 149:1-3)

Songs of praise are the artistic expression of our emotions and desire to uplift and glorify God while the dance that accompanies the songs is the dramatization of our gratitude to God. Therefore to make a song or to sing and dance is an act of worship. Hebrews 2:12 says, “I will tell of your name to my brothers(and sisters); in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”  Some people come to church without their hymn books and show no interest in singing during worship service. In the absence of any sickness or disability which makes it impossible to sing and dance, showing an indifferent attitude towards singing and dancing to glorify God is an act of ungratefulness. We sing songs of praise and dance in appreciation to God for the manifold blessing and grace He continues to bestow upon us. Paul admonishes us in Colossians 3:16  that “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

It is important to note that the first thing we give to God when we come before Him in worship is not money but our bodies. This is why it is not a good practice to stay home if you do not have enough money to give as an offering at church, your singing and dancing is also an offering to the Lord. In the same manner, singing songs of praise to God and dancing to honor God in our homes is an act of worship. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:15 that “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.” Again Paul wrote that “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” (Romans 15:9) The Psalmist in Psalm 150:4 adds that “Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!” My dear friend, it is important to keep our hymn books close to us so that even if we are unable to make our own songs and dance out of them, we can sing songs that have already been composed and dance to the glory of God. We may also rely on recorded songs of praise on our electronic devices. We should encourage family worship where prayer, Bible studies, singing, and dancing will take place to foster family unity and create an awareness of the presence of God in our homes and lives. Shalom.

PRAYER

ALMIGHTY GOD, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT OF TALENT AND ABILITY TO MAKE SONGS AND DANCE OUT OF THEM. MAY WE BE STRENGTHENED TO CONTINUE SINGING SONGS OF YOUR PRAISE AND MIGHTY DEEDS AS TESTIMONY OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS SO THAT THE LOST MAY COME TO KNOW YOU AND BE SAVED. AMEN.

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev.)