Sing and Be Happy

This post is taken from an article I wrote sometime last year for our church's quarterly publication:

Sing and be happy! When I think of the two words individually, “sing” and “happy,” I think they are one in the same. As humans, we are wired for music. Music is pleasing to the ear. We all may have different tastes when it comes to music, but generally people as a whole appreciate music in and of itself. As a young girl, I have always loved music and singing. Growing up in the church it was, and still is, one of my favorite acts of worship. I would sing along in Bible class and eventually begin singing familiar hymns during the worship service. Anytime the doors were open for a song service, I wanted to be there. Music has always been my go-to “therapy” when I needed some relief. No matter what was happening in my life, listening to music and singing along took away all cares. The song “Sing and Be Happy” is a song about singing to take away cares and put your focus on spiritual blessings and gain, rather than worldly gain.

          The Psalm quoted underneath the song title in the hymnal is Psalm 100:2: “Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing” (NKJV). This serves as a general verse for the song, but the song itself is about turning to the Lord when you feel troubled and tired, when you are discouraged. As I read the words, I see the deeper meaning of keeping your focus on Heaven, and not on worldly possessions. There are many of us who may wonder why those living in sin are blessed with worldly gain when we are struggling to get by. Jesus says to us in Mark 4:19-20 that the cares of the world and the desire for other things chokes the word. However, those that hear the word and accept it will be fruitful. We have been blessed, and should not desire more earthly gain because it takes our focus away from the Lord. Those that love the world and the things in the world do not have the love of the Father in them, 1 John 2:15.

 Ephesians 1:3 says that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. We must not forget that our true reward is the home in Heaven we will receive if we continue to walk in God’s light and do what he commands of us. We need to have trust in our Lord that he will see us through our troubles and trials. The last phrase in the third verse of the song states: “If we hope and trust Him each day, we shall have pleasures untold.”

          Singing praises to our Lord does not only uplift us, but our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Ephesians 5:19-21 gives us the commandment to sing spiritual songs and hymns to one another and make melody in our heart to the Lord. Our song service should be one that uplifts our brethren and pleases the Lord. Our minds must be clear and ready to accept the words of the song so that it will be pleasing to our Lord. If we can do these things, then we should all be able to sing and be happy. My favorite verse that helps me remember to put away the cares of the world and lean on God for strength and reassurance is Matthew 6:33-34: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (ESV). When we lean on the Lord for our strength and go to him in prayer, he will ease our troubles. “Take new courage we cannot tell what the morrow may bring, when the dark clouds vanish away then your heart truly can sing” (Sing and Be Happy, Emory S. Peck).