IMPORTANCE OF HYMNS AND SONGS

Text: 1^st Samuel 2:2, 1^st King 4:32, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16

Hymns are Christian songs of praise and they are offered to God. They are a veritable part of Christian worship. They are songs sang to praise and worship the Lord. Hymns result from divine inspiration just as the Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Hymns writers have been inspired by God to write hymns suitable for every occasion and for every season, such as Easter, Christmas, Wedding, Naming Ceremonies, Church dedication, Funeral Ceremony and many other celebrations.

In the Early Church, singing hymns was very common. Then they had only old testament. Most times their teachings were rendered in music and hymns and it helped them a great deal. In Col 3:16, the Bible says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God”. You are admonished to sing hymns unto the Lord. In Eph 5:19, the Bible says “Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; sing and make music in your heart to the Lord”. You are to encourage other believers with hymns and by so doing you are ministering to them. Generally hymns have continued to minister to the need of millions, they are tools for comfort, inspiration, hope and even as instruction. They are sources of spiritual strength for the believers. They minister peace and encouragement to souls. They give required encouragement to people during tough times, the period of affliction and trials. In James 5:13, the Bible says “Is anyone one of you in trouble? He should pray; Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise”. Since hymns are songs of praise, we are encouraged to sing them.

Apart from being used to offer praise to God, to express gratitude and to appreciate God for great things He has done for us. Hymns are sang to express joy {James 5:13}. They were traditionally sang at the Passover meal as seen in Psalm 115-118. They also usher you to the presence of God anytime you sing them. Spend your pleasant time by singing hymns to God. I pray He gives you a new song. In Psalm 40:3, David said they are loaded with wonderful words of wisdom, full of messages and lessons to learn from each. They are relevant during house fellowship, prayer meetings, church services, Holy Communion Service and during Baptism. Every believer should cultivate the habit singing hymns.

When Jesus was going to the cross He sang a hymn. His disciples sang a hymn after they had the last supper with Him. This is to show you how useful and important hymns are.

Let us consider some of the people who have been inspired to sing hymns in the Bible.

David’s Psalm 23 inspired the hymn “The king of love my shepherd is”. His Psalm 61 which he wrote when he was forced to escape during the days of Absalom’s rebellion inspired hymn “Hiding in Thee” also his Psalm 103 which was God’s great love for us inspired hymn “ Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”. Psalm 18:3 is also David’s hymn “ I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy of praise and I am saved from my enemies”. He sang this hymn when the Lord delivered him from his enemies.

Moses ‘ Psalm 90 inspired hymn “O God our help in ages past”.

The sons of Korah’s Psalm 46 was written to appreciate God for being our refuge and strength and it inspired hymn “ A mighty Fortress is our God”. Also their Psalm 87 which looks ahead of the Holy City that is the New Jerusalem inspired hymn “Glorious Things of Thee are spoken”

Hannah in 1st Samuel 2:2 praised God with a hymn “There is no one Holy like the Lord”. When she was blessed with a son Samuel.

Mary mother of Jesus in Luke 1:46-55 rendered hymns called “The Magnificent” to glorify God for what the Lord was going to do for the world through her.

You too can sing hymns in anticipation of what God will do for you. The Bible tell us in 1st King 4:32 that Solomon songs numbered a thousand and five(1005) mostly in support of godly marriage.

Miriam in Ex 15:21 sang to the Lord when God gave Israelites victory over Pharaoh.

Deborah in Judges 5 together with Barak sang a victorious song when the Lord gave them victory over king Jabin of Canaan and Sisera his army leader.

In Luke 1:67-79, the song called “The Benedictus” was sang by Zachariah after months of silence when he had John the Baptist.

You can cultivate the habit of rendering hymns to the Lord. They lift up the spirit and usher you to the presence of God

Fanny J. Crosby, despite the fact that she was blind was inspired to write many hymns. Among the hymns she wrote are;

• “Blessed Assurance Jesus Is Mine”
  
• “I am thine o Lord”
• “Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour”
• “To God Be The Glory”

All over the world believers are singing Fanny Crosby’s hymns and many other hymns.

Note that when you and I leave this world and make it to heaven, the only thing we shall be doing is to join the saints and the angels to be worshipping and praising God with hymn.

Collection of hymns are made in to Hymnal books like The Baptist Hymnal¸ The Redeemed Hymnal and many other hymnals. Hymn books are companion to the Bible.

Add yours to these hymns. You will be richly blessed as you do so.

PRAYER

Father, give me a new song in Jesus’ name I pray.

Lord inspire me to sing appropriate hymns in whatever circumstances, so that my heart can be at tune with you and I can enjoy your peace and give glory to you in Jesus’ name. AMEN

Leadership As Exemplified in The Bible

John 10:11, Judges 4, Esther 4, 2 Chronicles 1:7-11

Leadership is the position of being the head of a group, organisation or a community. Leadership is a position of responsibility for guidance, direction, inspiration, knowledge and management. It is also a position of focus as an example for others to see and follow. Leadership can be in various capacities: spiritual, family, professional, community, organisation, political and national. Basic components of leadership are the leader and the position.

Certain qualities are expected of a leader:

• A leader must be bold and courageous.
• A leader must be disciplined, visionary, transparent, knowledgeable, upright, God-fearing, must have integrity, have initiative, be compassionate, have wisdom, must be encouraging the followers, and responding to the needs of his or her followers.
• For church leadership in addition to the above, the leader must be spirit filled and must always allow the Holy Spirit to guide him and seek divine wisdom and knowledge to lead his people.
• A leader must be ready to train those below him to the position of leadership so that there can be continuity in the position.
• A leader must live by example.
• A leader is a also a Shepherd and he must cater for his sheep and protect them from any wolf.
  

Choice of Leadership
Leadership position should not be scrambled for. Track record of the person must be considered. Experience and qualification as related to the position must also be considered.

For spiritual or church leadership the position should not be attained through voting. People to elect leaders must seek the face of the Lord and let the Holy Spirit direct them. It must not be influenced. The nature of service to be rendered must be considered and acquisition of skills relating to the position must be considered.

Our Lord Jesus Christ chose His disciples and He taught them how to disciple others. Peter and Andrew were already fishing when Jesus said He would make them fishers of men. When Jesus said "harvest is plenty but the workers are few, he did not mean there were no human beings around but people for the leadership position are few.

Let us consider some examples of leadership in the Bible.

Esther's Leadership
Esther, a Jew, was King Xerxes' queen. Mordecai, Esther's uncle was plotted against by Haman. Mordecai sent to Esther in the palace for help to intervene, so that he would not be killed and the Jews would not perish. Queen Esther had to see the King, but it was not customary then to see the King except the Kings sends for one. The penalty was death if the King did not send for one and one went. But Esther demonstrated a good leadership by declaring a fast for three days for her people and herself. She said in Ester 4:16, "When this is done, I will go to the King, even though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish". She demonstrated exemplary courage, driven by great compassion for her people. She did the unusual.

Esther was ready to lay down her life to save her people. She was a good leader, for she was ready to die for her sheep. This is exactly what Jesus did for you and I. He laid down His life. Esther did not mind the cost. What a great leader! What a leadership!!

Deborah's Leadership
In Judges 4. The Lord delivered the Israelites into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan because of the evil they did and they were to go to war. Deborah a judge and prophetess was leading Israel then. Sisera was the army leader for Canaan while Barak was the army leader of Israel. Deborah informed Barak in Judges 4:6, "The Lord commands you, "go take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor". But Barak said to Deborah in Judges 4:8, "If you go with me, I will go, but if you do not go with me, I will not go".

Deborah said in Judges 4:9, "Very well, I will go with you, but because of the way you are going about this, the honour will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman". Deborah was patriotic and she demonstrated and exemplary character of good leadership. She did not have to follow Barak to the war front. But for the sake of Isrealites she did. She was a role model and a committed leader. She has all the leadership qualities. How I wish our today's leaders could emulated Deborah.

Jehoshaphat's Leadership
In 2nd Chronicles 20:1-23. Three nations were against King Jehoshaphat and they came to war with him. In 20:3, "Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah". Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the Temple of the Lord. They came together to seek help from the Lord in front of the new courtyard. He went there to honour God and sought His face. Of course, God gave him victory.

The lesson to learn from here is that he led his people to God to seek the face of God. Leaders should learn from Jehoshaphat's leadership by seeking God's face. He did not rush to acquire arms and ammunition. He did not waste his country's resources on arms to fight the war. He acknowledged God by saying "power and might are in God's hand and no one can withstand you".

Leadership that does not recognise the presence and awesomeness of God can not succeed. Good leadership includes seeking the face of the Lord for guidance and direction.

Solomon's Leadership
In 2nd Chronicles 1:7-11. When Solomon became King, God gave him the opportunity to ask for whatever he wanted in a dream. Solomon in v9 said, "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead these people". God gave him what he requested and added wealth, riches and honour unto him. God acknowledged that Solomon did not request for personal and selfish things.

How great and wonderful would it be if national, community, organisation, spiritual and family leaders could ask God for wisdom and knowledge to rule their people and do what is right. He asked for what would make him do the right thing and it was given to him.

Jesus Leadership
Jesus surrendered Himself unto death for the sake of mankind. In John 10:11, Jesus said. "I am the good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". Jesus was so much concerned about His sheep/followers that in John 21:15-17, He instructed Peter thrice to feed His lamb. "Feed my lambs", "Take care of my sheep", "Feed my sheep" if you love me.

Jesus in John 13:4-5 washed His disciples' feet and dried them. Jesus demonstrated extreme humility and that to be a leader; a person must be a servant. Leadership is about serving others. He led by example. He wanted them to continue after he might have gone back to His father. Leaders should train up followers to be leaders after them, be ready to serve and should live by example.

Conclusion
Having gone through the leadership examples of Jesus, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Deborah and Esther, and seeing how successful they led, you should emulate them. Either a spiritual, community, national, family or church leader, they are worthy of emulation.

Biblical principles of leadership such as courage, selflessness, compassion, seeking of divine wisdom and guidance at all times should underpin and form of leadership. Be it leadership of the family, organisation, community or country.

The world is in need of good governance and good leadership at all levels and in all spheres of live.

Church leaders should take note of the following;

• You must have a call from God
• Be filled with the Holy Spirit
• Be ready to train for leadership position to acquire the necessary skills
• Leaders must be prayed for
• The sin of a leader can bring judgement to the followers

Prayer
Father in the name Jesus, give us leaders after your own heart.
Give us leaders who will put you first, seek your face and ask for wisdom and knowledge to be able to do what is right. AMEN