Psalm 89:15. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
Oh Friends, I’m sure some of you laugh when I talk about not seeing our names in the obits. But unfortunately, I saw the name and picture of an acquaintance there today. We weren’t big time acquaintances, but every so often we’d meet at different functions, exchange a few words and ask about each other’s health. I never knew that she was sick, though if I remember correctly, the last time we met, she was walking with a cane. And most likely if I hadn’t been looking through the obits, I wouldn’t have known about her demise until some time long after. This is actually the third time that I’ve discovered the demise of an acquaintance through the obituaries. So it does pay to look through them, because you never know whose name and/or picture you’ll find there. One day though, you’ll surely see yours. (smile) I have two other points of interest to share. The first concerns the twin earthquakes and numerous aftershocks that struck south-western China on Friday, killing over 60 people, and injuring hundreds. Please, let’s pray for them in their time of disaster. It’s the least we can do, given our Christian faith. The next concern is a bit of good news. The Pakistani girl, Rimsha Masih, that seems to be her name, who was recently imprisoned for allegedly burning some pages of a holy Muslim book, has apparently been released on bail ($10, 500). She thus foregoes a lengthy stay in prison until her case is heard. And all God’s people shouted up to heaven, a mighty ‘Praise the Lord!’ Yes Friends, our God is good and looks after His own. I implore us to pray for her and the millions of other Christians around the world, who are being unfairly persecuted simply because they fell in LOVE with Jesus and desire to serve and worship Him. That brings us to our Bit: ‘Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.’ Now that sure enthuses me because it has to do with praising God through song and dance and music. The last two days we’ve been checking out some instances where God commanded it, and where it’s been used in battle. Today, let’s check out some where His followers exalted Him thus, from the sincerity of their own hearts. Many of them are found in the Psalms, but one of my favourites is when Bruh David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem. The Good Book says: And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.’ (2 Sam.6:14-15) Hear the scholar’s explanation: ‘The ark, which had been placed in the house of Obed-edom, a Levite of the family of Korah (cf. 1 Chr.13:13-14) was now brought up to Jerusalem in the prescribed manner. It was done with careful forethought (cf. 1 Chr.15:1-20). The transferral of the ark was accompanied by sacrifices, pomp, and great rejoicing. David’s dancing or whirling about (v 14) was an expression of spiritual joy. (cf. 1 Chr.15:25-28) However, while Bruh David was dancing before the Lord, his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out a window and saw him carrying on and was less than thrilled. The Good Book says ‘she despised him in her heart.’ (2 Sam.6:16) She later reprimanded him. ‘How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain (base) fellows shamelessly (openly) uncovereth himself. And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. And I will yet be more vile (undignified) than thus, and will be base (humble) in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.’ (2 Sam.6:20-23) Oh Friends, I guess why I like that particular incident in Bruh David’s life is because I can certainly relate to it. Over the years I’ve been met with such adverse criticism from some of my family members. But like Bruh David, I just shrugged it off and continued doing my own thing; dancing before the Lord. (smile) That was when I was able to whirl and prance. Can’t do it now though, so there’s no more criticism. Hn, hn! Anyway, here’s how the scholars describe Michal’s behaviour. ‘Michal saw in David’s actions a conduct unbefitting a king. She doubtless neither appreciated nor entered into the spirit of the occasion. Accordingly David rebuked her and consigned her to separation from the king’s graces, a condemnation that left her childless. A negative and critical spirit born of spiritual shallowness and insensitivity is a dangerous thing!’ And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! We see such a lack of spiritual fervour in too many believers these days. They continually walk around sour and miserable, as though their parents had just died, with no sense of joy and fun in their hearts or their countenances. That’s why our Bit so staunchly declares that those who know the joyful sound of our God will show it in their faces, their hearts and their actions. And we’ll end with a continuation of the story of Bruh David bringing up the ark to Jerusalem from 1 Chronicles. ‘Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord… O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory (triumph) in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.’ (1 Chr.16:7-10, 34-36) Oh Friends, what an appropriate way to end this Sunday morning! Much LOVE!…a soul full of thanks and praise…should show its light to the world…through a joyful countenance…
SCRIP-BITS 