Yesterday I wrote about pleasant surprises. Well this morning we had a surprise, not necessarily a pleasant one, although everything turned out ok. While we were in Sunday School, the power went out. Suddenly the lights went off and we weren't sure why. Soon, someone came to our downstairs classroom and checked on us, saying that a large tree limb had fallen over the road right outside the church. It had knocked down power lines. This was completely unexpected as there was no storm going on, no high winds; just a mild Sunday morning.
We finished the class, everyone wondering what would happen when it was time to start church with no power. After all, we wouldn't be able to rely on the new "countdown clock" up on the power point that counts down the minutes until the service starts. What would the worship team do without electricity? How about the preaching? What will the pastor do without a microphone? And to top it all off, we had scheduled a taco bar fundraiser dinner immediately following the service. What about that?
Even though the proper agencies were called the power was not restored in time to start the service. The power trucks drove up and were working right outside the sanctuary windows, which, by the way were open to let in a breeze. Rhiannon led a few songs accoustically on her guitar. We determined not to have our other instruments like piano, drums, and tambourine join her since it would too easily drown out the guitar and voice. When we started singing, it occurred to me how dependent we are on being electrified for worship. It seemed hard to sing and I'm sure others found it a challenge as well. Add to that the fact that we didn't have the words up on the power point and had to sing from memory. I guess we never realize how much we are depending on something until it is gone. The exuberant songs we are used to singing take on a much more subdued note when the bass, keyboard, microphones and all the other powered aids are gone.
It made me think about praise from biblical accounts. I wonder if I would be an exuberant praise-er if I had to praise constantly without the full worship team? It's a good question to ask yourself. Paul and Silas sang songs at midnight in a dark, nasty prison cell with their feet fastened in stocks. And they were not imprisoned for any crime; it was for preaching the gospel! Their singing, praying, and praising was followed by an earthquake which resulted in the salvation of the prison guard and all his household. That account appears in Acts, chapter 16.
Another example of praising people is the incident of the destruction of Jericho. The people of God were instructed to march around the city for seven days. On the seventh day they marched around it seven times. All the time they marched the people were to be in total silence. But then when Joshua gave the command they were to shout! When they did the city walls fell down. All this without the aid of microphones!
A lesser known Bible account shows the effects of earnest praise. It is found in Nehemiah 12. Take time to read the whole chapter when you can to get the full picture. The entire book of Nehemiah is about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The accomplishment was a great one for the people since they had faced much opposition in this task. When the job was finally done and the day came for the dedication ceremonies, two thanksgiving choirs were commissioned to sing and lead many people up to the temple. No microphones or electrified instruments were there to aid the people in this great praise. There were trumpets and such, but the noise had to be completely humanly generated and verse 43 tells the result. It says in part..."so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off." Apparently the noise of singing and praising was carrying beyond the city walls, maybe even to other surrounding villages.
I was reminded by the power outage this morning that I cannot depend on the presence of certain instruments and helps before I praise the Lord. As a Christian, I must be able to praise the Lord, sing to the Lord, at any time regardless if I have the keyboard, electric guitars and lots of volume backing me up. I should be able to sing a new song to the Lord at any time. Sobering thoughts prompted by surprises. Blessings, LORI
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