The Centre of Attention (Psalm 96)
by Philip Robinson
Give all credit to the Lord for all that is and is to come. He provides the seed and the soil, the sun and the rain, and everything required for life, flourishing, growth and renewal. He is the potential and fullness of everything, the breath of the Universe and the author of its many songs. Let’s resist the urge to make ourselves the centre of attention and choose instead to point others toward His grace, mercy, goodness and power. Let’s choose to worship.
“Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”
— Psalm 96:7-10
As we point others to Him, may His praise roll off our tongues. Let us humble ourselves and let praise become a habit, without hesitation or reservation. The call and right to praise the Lord’s name are not exclusive to specific races, cultures or people. He calls us all to find Him and praise Him with our own voices, tongues and songs, shaped by our own experiences, fears, ideas and hopes.
We are family, get up everybody and sing! There is a beauty in every kind of music, instrument and sound. The greater beauty is when voices and instruments come together in choirs, bands and orchestras to create harmony. Fusions of musical art-forms pulled from genres and cultures result in fresh expressions that update our concept of possibility. They challenge and augment our concept of family, belonging and need for connections, as we come face to face with our own biases, preferences, privileges and weaknesses. They change us and, in being changed, we are reminded of the things that are unchangeable and immovable.
Let’s resist the urge to make ourselves the centre of attention and choose instead to give the Lord the glory due His name - together.
The bible often speaks of the "new song" and we’re taking this season to meditate on a few key passages. By singing His word, we can grow together in our understanding of who God is, why worship and prayer are important to Him, and how He will use houses of prayer and praying churches across the earth to see the fullness of His plans come to fruition.