Joyful Singing: Embracing God's Ways and Presence

 

Summary

In the sermon, the focus is on the profound joy and privilege of singing in the ways of the Lord, as inspired by Psalm 138:5. The message begins with a vision of a future where even kings will sing praises to God, highlighting the transformative power of God's glory. Until that time comes, believers are encouraged to sing with joy, regardless of their status, because God values the praises of the humble as much as those of the mighty. The sermon emphasizes that true religion should be a source of delight, not a burdensome duty. It is a call to serve God with joy and to find pleasure in His ways, as they are paths of peace and pleasantness.

The sermon further explores the idea that believers should not seek joy outside of God's ways. True joy is found in the service of God, and those who seek pleasure elsewhere are likened to unfaithful spouses. Singing in the ways of the Lord is not just about finding joy in worship but also about maintaining a joyful heart in service, even in challenging circumstances. The sermon encourages believers to sing while they work, pray, and even in times of suffering, as this is a testament to their faith and trust in God.

The message also touches on the strength, safety, guidance, and provision that believers find in God's ways. These blessings are reasons to sing and rejoice, as they assure believers of God's constant presence and care. The sermon concludes with a call to sing not only in the ways of the Lord but also of the Lord Himself, celebrating His loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness. It is a reminder that singing praises to God is a powerful witness to others and can draw them to the joy and peace found in a life devoted to God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Joy in God's Ways: True religion is a source of joy and delight, not a burdensome duty. Believers are encouraged to find pleasure in God's ways, as they are paths of peace and pleasantness. Serving God with joy is a testament to one's faith and understanding of His love. [02:42]

2. Singing in Service: Believers should maintain a joyful heart in service, even in challenging circumstances. Singing while working, praying, or suffering is a testament to faith and trust in God. This joy in service is a powerful witness to others. [07:46]

3. Strength and Safety in God's Ways: God's ways provide strength, safety, guidance, and provision. These blessings assure believers of God's constant presence and care, giving them reasons to sing and rejoice. [12:41]

4. Witness Through Joy: Singing praises to God is a powerful witness to others. It can draw them to the joy and peace found in a life devoted to God. Believers are encouraged to let their joy in the Lord be evident to all. [43:10]

5. Celebrating God's Attributes: Believers are called to sing of God's loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness. These attributes of God are reasons for praise and celebration, reminding believers of His unwavering commitment to them. [29:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Singing in the Ways of the Lord
- [01:15] - Encouragement to Sing Despite Royal Silence
- [02:28] - Gracious Persons Find Joy in Religion
- [04:32] - The True Meaning of Recreation
- [05:27] - Delight in God's Ways
- [07:31] - Singing in Service and Suffering
- [09:05] - The Royal Mixture of Song and Prayer
- [10:21] - Singing Through Trials
- [11:28] - Strength and Safety in God's Ways
- [13:32] - Guidance and Provision on the Journey
- [15:53] - Encouragement to Sing in the Ways
- [18:50] - Singing of God's Ways to Us
- [22:43] - The Good Road to Heaven
- [28:42] - Singing of the Lord of the Way
- [41:13] - Singing to the Glory of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 138:5

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of kings singing in the ways of the Lord, and how does this relate to the transformative power of God's glory? [00:25]

2. How does the sermon describe the attitude believers should have towards serving God, and what does it say about the nature of true religion? [02:42]

3. What examples does the sermon provide of maintaining a joyful heart in service, even in challenging circumstances? [07:46]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of strength and safety in God's ways, and what assurances are given to believers? [12:41]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between joy and true religion, and how might this understanding impact a believer's daily life? [02:42]

2. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to find joy in God's ways rather than seeking it elsewhere, and what are the implications of this for one's faith journey? [06:07]

3. How does the sermon portray the act of singing in the ways of the Lord as a form of witness to others, and what might this mean for a believer's role in their community? [43:10]

4. What attributes of God are highlighted in the sermon as reasons for praise, and how do these attributes provide comfort and assurance to believers? [29:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you found joy in serving God. How did this experience strengthen your faith, and how can you seek similar opportunities in your daily life? [02:42]

2. Consider the challenges you face in maintaining a joyful heart during difficult times. What practical steps can you take to sing in the ways of the Lord, even when circumstances are tough? [07:46]

3. Identify an area in your life where you might be seeking joy outside of God's ways. How can you redirect your focus to find true joy in serving God? [06:07]

4. Think about how your expressions of joy and praise might serve as a witness to others. What specific actions can you take to let your joy in the Lord be evident to those around you? [43:10]

5. Reflect on the attributes of God mentioned in the sermon, such as His loving-kindness and faithfulness. How can these attributes encourage you in your current life situation? [29:12]

6. How can you incorporate singing or other forms of worship into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's presence and care? [12:41]

7. Consider someone in your life who might be drawn to the joy and peace found in a life devoted to God. How can you share your faith journey with them in a meaningful way? [43:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Joyful Delight in God's Ways
True religion is not a burden but a source of joy and delight. Believers are encouraged to find pleasure in God's ways, which are paths of peace and pleasantness. Serving God with joy is a testament to one's faith and understanding of His love. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and care. When believers embrace this joy, they reflect the transformative power of God's glory in their lives. [02:42]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally find joy in serving God today, even if it feels like a routine or obligation?


Day 2: Singing in Service and Suffering
Believers are called to maintain a joyful heart in service, even in challenging circumstances. Singing while working, praying, or suffering is a testament to faith and trust in God. This joy in service is a powerful witness to others, demonstrating that true joy is found in God's presence, not in external circumstances. By singing in the ways of the Lord, believers show that their faith is alive and vibrant, even in the face of trials. [07:46]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: In what specific situation this week can you choose to sing and rejoice, even if it feels difficult or unnatural?


Day 3: Strength and Safety in God's Ways
God's ways provide strength, safety, guidance, and provision. These blessings assure believers of God's constant presence and care, giving them reasons to sing and rejoice. When believers walk in God's ways, they experience His protection and provision, which strengthens their faith and trust in Him. This assurance allows them to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with them every step of the way. [12:41]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's strength and safety in a specific area of your life where you feel vulnerable or uncertain?


Day 4: Witness Through Joy
Singing praises to God is a powerful witness to others. It can draw them to the joy and peace found in a life devoted to God. Believers are encouraged to let their joy in the Lord be evident to all, as it serves as a testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness. By living a life of joy, believers can inspire others to seek the same peace and fulfillment that comes from a relationship with God. [43:10]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Who in your life might be impacted by seeing your joy in the Lord, and how can you intentionally share that joy with them this week?


Day 5: Celebrating God's Attributes
Believers are called to sing of God's loving-kindness, truth, and faithfulness. These attributes of God are reasons for praise and celebration, reminding believers of His unwavering commitment to them. By focusing on God's character, believers can find strength and encouragement in their faith journey. Singing of God's attributes not only deepens their relationship with Him but also serves as a reminder of His promises and faithfulness. [29:12]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: What specific attribute of God can you celebrate today, and how can you incorporate that celebration into your daily routine?

Quotes

If the kings have not begun to sing let us sing, and well we may we have full permission to do it for the next verse encourages us, though the lord be high yet hath he respect unto the lowly, he will be just as pleased with the song of the peasant as with that of the prince with the psalm of the workman as with that of the monarch. [01:19]

A man's religion is worth nothing if it is not his chief delight, that which we do before god as task work is ill done and is not acceptable, god will not have slaves to grace his throne, nor would he be served by us in the spirit of bondage, it is his delight to be served by sons and to be waited upon by those who do his commandments with delight. [02:43]

They do not stop the work to go and sing but they sing as they work, sailors when they pull a rope make a cheery sound, as they heave the anchor they sing after their fashion, soldiers march to battle with sound of trumpet and beat of drum listening to music while they march, so christian men go on their pilgrimage and keep step to the sound of joyous psalms and hymns. [07:46]

When we are in the ways of the lord dear friends we are strong, they go from strength to strength when we walk as god would have us walk, we are made strong in the lord and in the power of his might, limping pilgrims cannot sing but those whose weakness cast itself upon the strength of god can sing. [11:36]

You have safety also for in the ways of the lord all his servants are protected from danger, in the king's highway no lion shall be there, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon, you shall be kept by the power of god through faith unto salvation in the ways of the lord, well may that traveler sing who is perfectly safe. [12:41]

We have one with us who will lead us into all truth, we have the comforter with us who will direct our way even to the end, how can we help singing pilgrims to zion city bound who have such a conductor as the infallible spirit of god ought to sing it would be treason on their part if they did not. [13:56]

I can speak well of the ways of the lord and earnestly stir up my fellow pilgrims to sing in them for they have been good ways to me, let us march on and sing on let us proceed with a step and a song, a step and a song let our halting places be charmed with sacred psalmidy and may the holy spirit the comforter abide with us. [15:51]

We will sing of god's ways to us but where shall we begin, shall we begin where god began with us with that eternal council chamber with that divine predestination with that secret decree of salvation by which he separated his people from the mass of the world and made them to be his wherever the earth was. [17:00]

The saddest saint is after all happier than the gladdest sinner, the best house in the city of destruction where everything is to be burned with fire is not equal to the poorest shanty on the road to heaven where if the pilgrim fares hard he is on the way to glory when we think of where we used to be. [19:52]

The glory of that way is that the prince emmanuel trodded with sorrowful steps he traversed that way and he has left the prince of his pierced feet all along it, it is for us to feel that it must be a good way since holy men and their glorious leader have trodden it, it is a way in which many who are very dear to us have gone. [22:56]

We are going forth with our staff in hand through a desert wild in a stranger land but our faith is bright and our hope is strong and the good old way is our pilgrim song, it is the good old way by our father's trod, it is the way of life and it leadeth unto god, it is the only path to the realms of day. [24:31]

Tell the young people that the most joyous life is the life that is nearest to god, that the most merry life is the life of the man who is found all for this world and all for the world to come in god and in his christ, god help you dear brothers and sisters to sing all the day long and may you even have songs in the night. [44:48]

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Transcript
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