The Silent God

The Covid Cloud? 

'I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.' Job 19:25

There are times when God is silent. I am afraid these are such times.

The whole world is living under a cloud; the unrelenting devastation of Covid-19 upon this earth. This pandemic affects health, mortality, economy, livelihood and life itself, of every human being on this planet. Just when we think that the spread of infection was controlled, the virus rears its ugly head again with new variants. 

There is untold suffering. Those affected must have asked Why God? We search for answers, for reasons but God is silent. This pandemic has gone on for over two years unabated. Unanswered prayer but this is not the first nor will it be the last time when God will choose to remain silent. 

Consider the Apostle Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' which God did not relieve despite much prayer. In the end, Paul was prepared to resign to God's will

'He said to me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.' 2 Cor 12:9,10 (The Message)

Remember Job? Job was a rich and righteous man. Then for reasons unknown to him, he was struck with one calamity upon another. It left him in ruins and devastated his health, wealth, family and even his appearance. Four friends who visited, purportedly to comfort, ended up accusing him of grievous sin for such a severe punishment to befall him. Job searched for a reason for his sufferings but for a long time God was silent.

Today there must be many families who are suffering greatly from this pandemic. Like Job they may be aggrieved that God is distant

'Though I cry, "Violence!" I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.' Job 19:7

The unrelenting pressure can break some of us. 

'Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.' Job 30:26-27

Faced with this pandemic, it will help us to consider Job's situation.  Job went to the brink but he did not break. The bible recorded this

'Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.' Job 1:22

Charles Swindoll said, "When flat on our backs, the only way is to look is up. It worked." (Ref 1). Even though we may face the darkest of night, even though God seem not to answer us, let us keep faith in Him. Finally God will have His day, finally He will have His say. As Job said, 

'I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth.' Job 19:25  

This great assurance has been culturally immortalised by George Frideric Handel's in the third movement of Messiah a masterpiece, I Know that My Redeemer Liveth

I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
Upon the earth

And though worms destroy this body
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Yet in my flesh shall I see God

I know that my redeemer liveth
For now is Christ risen from the dead
The first fruits of them that sleep
Of them that sleep

Covid-19 pandemic will pass. Many may think that it will forever affect us and that we have to adjust to a new post-Covid normal. I hope not. Why? Because the Lord will hear us, He will not stay silent forever; He will heal and as Job said at the last He will take His stand on this earth.

In the words of a modern praise song by Bob Fitts The Lord Reigns!

 

The Lord reigns, the Lord reigns The Lord reigns Let the earth rejoice Let the earth rejoice Let the earth rejoice Let the people be glad That our God reigns A fire goes before him And burns up all his enemies The hills melt like wax At the presence of the lord At the presence of the lord The heavens declare His righteousness The people see His glory For You oh Lord are exalted Over all the earth Over all the earth

Lionel

Ref 1: Charles Swindoll. Job, A Man of Heroic Endurance. Thomas Nelson 2004

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns." Rev 19:6

Five years ago, the Hallelujah! Chorus, presented by 300 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir combined with over 2,000 voices worldwide brought Charles Wesley's opening sentence 'O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing' into sharp focus. 

The resounding sound of many voices singing 'Hallelujah' in Hebrew or 'Alleluia' in Greek which is 'Praise The Lord' is just wonderful to the ears! 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world

Is become the kingdom of our Lord

And of His Christ, and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And He shall reign for ever and ever

For ever and ever, forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (King of kings and Lord of lords)

And He shall reign

And He shall reign

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever)

And He shall reign (Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

And He shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever

Forever and ever

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Handel was probably thinking of the heavenly chorus of praise mentioned in Revelations. And yes! Let the praises and lyrics be repetitive, overflowing, loud and joyful. The same litany of praises can be found in the Book of Psalms. There are 150 Psalms of which 14 or nearly 10% has Praise the Lord as the first sentence; many more are found in the verses. 

'Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.' Psalm 103:1

'Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty.' Psalm 104:1 

'Praise the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.' Psalm 106:1

'Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.' Psalm 111:1

'Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands.' Psalm 112:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you His servants; praise the name of the Lord' Psalm 113:1

'Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.' Psalm 117:1

'Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who ministers by night in the house of the Lord.' Psalm 134:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, you servants of the Lord.' Psalm 135:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul.' Psalm 146:1

'Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!' Psalm 147:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.' Psalm 148:1

'Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His people.' Psalm 149:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.' Psalm 150:1

The psalms instruct us on the how, who, why and where for praising God. We should praise God from the depths of our souls with the voices of praise that are exuberant and refreshing.

Yet in these days of texting on mobile phones we have reduced this exuberance to a trite PTL. Using just the acronym PTL texted in a perfunctory manner is insincere and may even be disrespectful. In the light of the energy of the Hallelujah Chorus one should take umbrage at reducing this praise to three letters - PTL. Let us not allow it to enter the Christian vocabulary. 

By contrast the same means of modern virtual communications can afford us a different outcome. Not to be cowed by the Covid restrictions to public singing many have circumvented these restrictions by doing virtual choir presentations. Many choirs have now taken to singing praises in the virtual space with voices being recorded individually then stitched together digitally. 

Unable to sing and play together physically and in public, hundreds and thousands of singers and musicians found alternative solutions to harmonise their praises. Here is a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus now completely in the digital space. 

These productions will enable us to shout out the words Hallelujah! and Praise The Lord! joyfully at bleak and oppressive times. The greatness of God, the sacrifice of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit should leave us not only astounded but with such sincere gratitude that we will let out a spontaneous, Alleluia!

Digital communications have allowed us to demonstrate Charles Wesley's intentions and inspiration when he wrote a thousand tongues will sing.

Like the psalmists, Charles had much to praise God. On the 21 May 1738, Charles was taken ill with pneumonia. On that day a group of friends took turns taking care of him. He was deeply affected by the love and care shown him by these Christians. After recovery, he wrote in his journal counting this experience as a renewal of his faith, Charles' heartwarming experience. 

His brother John Wesley had the same experience on 24 May 1738. John went on to found the Methodist movement. Charles went on to write a 14 stanza hymn expressing his great joy O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing and he became famous as a great hymn writer.

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great redeemer's praise

The glories of my God and King

The triumphs of His grace

Jesus! the name that charms our fears

That bids our sorrows cease

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of cancelled sin

He sets the prisoner free

His blood can make the foulest clean

His blood availed for me

He speaks and listening to His voice

New life the dead receive

The mournful broken hearts rejoice

The humble poor believe

Hear him ye deaf; His praise ye dumb

Your loosened tongues employ

Ye blind behold your saviour comes

And leap ye lame for joy!

My gracious Master and my God

Assist me to proclaim

And spread through all the earth abroad

The honours of Thy name

Truly, when we praise God, our spirits are renewed and our lives revived! Praise the Lord!

Lionel