A Recorder of the Truth
Let’s get one thing straight: I am not a musician, even though I gave it my best shot when I was in fifth grade. Yes, I heard about this band instrument called the drums, and immediately the idea of “banging on a drum appealed to me.” Right here, if you are a musician and if you know me, then quickly, the idea of “banging” does not produce images of music but of a cacophony of horrible sound.
Nonetheless, when Mr. Rischel (my 5th grade teacher) announced to the class that anyone interested in learning how to play an instrument should go to the stage. I knew my teacher “was singing my song,” for I wanted to learn to (you know) “bang on a drum.” Well, if you have ever been a student in school, then you know there is a certain procedure for learning; thus, as we arrived to the stage that day, we (those who desired to learn to play an instrument) took our seats to listen to our music teacher speak about the variety of instruments available. My ears perked up and my eyes zoomed in when our teacher spoke and held up drumsticks. I was in; I was ready; I was excited; & I was ready to work hard to learn.
THEN WE WERE HANDED THIS LONG, SLENDER RECORDER & A SCALE OF MUSIC NOTES &
INSTRUCTED TO TAKE IT HOME & PRACTICE.
If you are like me, then you had never seen a Recorder, an instrument with a flute-like sound, held down in front of one’s body, like one might play a clarinet. That day, as the music teacher handed out these small instruments, my heart became excited, for I knew I was moving toward the day when I would learn to “bang my drum.”
Everything went downhill from that moment, for I quickly learned how I did not have the dedication, nor the musical tenacity to learn to play the recorder.
Oh, I gave it a good try, but my practice never produced music but only squeaky sounds. Eventually (after my long week) I handed back my recorder to my teacher and knew my “drum-banging” days were not going to come to fruition.
As I recall those days, a term comes to my mind: recapitulation.
- In music, this occurs when the musical subject is explored or expanded or restated.
- In literature, this occurs when the storyline is summarized, reviewed, or restated.
The Bible states & restates & restates & restates & restates God’s Promised Truth—
“I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”
(The Letter to the Hebrews 13: 5b NAS)
I wonder:
- Do we believe it?
- Do we ever worry about what others think?
- Do we ever become so human-focused in our daily walk that we forget God’s Promised Truth?
- Have we ever allowed ourselves to lose our awe of God’s power and exchanged His will for man’s?
- Have we ever focused on the giants looming over our path instead of bowing our heads and asking God to help us see HIM more than our giants?
Can we pause right now and pray, saying:
“LORD, I will walk anxiety-free and boldly march on—unafraid—because YOU are my Helper and my Stay. Amen.”
The letter written to the Hebrews was sent to Believers who were living during a time when the tyrant Nero was Emperor, when persecution for one’s faith was favored and allowed by the government. Christians lost their jobs, their property, and their security as they were imprisoned and even died for their FAITH. Truly the mid and late AD 60s were not a great time for the early church. Nonetheless, God’s Promised Truth—recorded and recapitulated throughout Scripture plays on & continues, even until today.
The prophet Moses spoke these words to the nation Israel—
“Be strong and courageous,
(Deuteronomy 31: 6 NAS)
do not be afraid or tremble at them,
for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you.
He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Then the LORD led Moses to write a song for the Israelites, recording the words of the LORD. This song recorded God’s Promised Truth when the LORD commissioned Joshua, the man who would lead the children of Israel into the Promise Land.
“Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said,
(Deuteronomy 31: 23 NAS)
“Be strong and courageous,
for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them,
and I will be with you.”
- People have faced giants since the beginning of time.
- People have encountered adversity since the day God’s creation sinned in the garden.
Mankind has suffered, bled, and even died, but since the beginning of time,
God’s Promised Truth has remained.
The prophet Isaiah recorded the TRUTH—
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
(The Book of Isaiah 7: 14 NAS)
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Immanuel—God is with us!
Then God did exactly as He promised.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:
(The Gospel According to Matthew 1: 18-23 NAS)
when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph,
before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
And Joseph her husband,
being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her,
planned to send her away secretly.
But when he had considered this,
behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife;
for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a Son;
and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins.”
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON,
AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,”
which translated means,
“GOD WITH US.”
“LORD,
We do not always understand what’s happening, but we trust YOU.
We sometimes get afraid at the trials & testing YOU are allowing us to walk through, but we remember how YOU anchor us.
FATHER GOD, we only need to open our Bibles to see where YOUR Promised Truth has been recorded & recapitulated.
Thank YOU, for recording this song deep within our being.
Help us LORD remain faithful.
YOU are our Helper & our Stay. Amen.”