For those of you who know the workings of a piano, you understand that the damper pedal moves the felt dampers off of the strings so that they will ring or vibrate when other strings are being struck by hammers as the pianist plays. The affect is beautiful; in fact, even the average listener would be able to tell if the pianist was not using the damper pedal. The sound is flat, dull and lifeless.
As I was thinking about this today, I thought of the wonderful illustration it gives of Psalm 133:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
When a fellowship of believers is united, each one “rings” out the praises of God. What a beautiful song we make when we are all united in our praise and are “vibrating” or responding as the Word is preached or the choir is singing or someone is giving a testimony!
You know, I believe almost anything would taste good drenched in chocolate! However, if the strings are coated with anything, they will not be able to vibrate. What sin is keeping you from “vibrating” in tune to God’s Word? Do you come to church loaded down with the cares of this world?
When we were at our first ministry, I once told Tom that I was going to place a box by the door of our kitchen where he could deposit all the burdens of the ministry, so that he didn’t carry them into our home and destroy our heavenly atmosphere! We need to apply the same principle to our times of corporate worship as well as to our private devotional times with God. Always start each with a time of prayer: praising God, but then confessing our sins and shedding all the debris that’s cluttering our lives. Then our hearts will be “tuned to sing [His] grace,” and we will be ready to be teachable.
So, next Sunday, come prepared to vibrate! Come and worship and do your part!
Ps 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Beyond Common Sense 