Today’s Date: 4/2. Today’s Rather Randomly Chosen Corresponding Verse Intended to Make You Want to Read Further: Isaiah 4:2 -- On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel,
There is always context, of course, and when it comes to Isaiah, there is always the rebellion of Israel that we contend with, but here, the Lord is telling us about the glory for Israel that survives a jealous God who is redemptive.
But this is what we pull from this random verse (that is never as random as I suggest it is): We don’t make it glorious, God does. We can only reflect the glory of God, we cannot create it. Our efforts can only shift to be in line with God, not produce what God makes glorious.
That’s why we pray, to move our hearts and minds into line with the light of the Lord, like the moon lining up to reflect the light of the sun.
By the Numbers: Just for fun, let me share with you a few numbers from the March of Prayer, the 31 nights of worship that cover 722 hours in March, including 55 hours of worship in 30 different locations.
In those 31 nights, we heard from 22 praise bands, including 22 drummers, 12 of which were “free-range” while 10 were secluded in a box, a glass-box, a bullet-proof, sound-sealed, covered box.
The tamborine was employed 21 times; mandolins, four times, bagpipes once, flute, once.
We sat in pews 14 times, waved flags 14 times, danced 11 times, and had parking problems six times.
We used video screens 21 times, prayed in groups 13 times, took time to let each represented church bless the host church six times, and prayed the Lord’s Prayer nine times.
Twice, pipe organs accompanied us, four times, electric organs were used, five times we used hymnals.
Twice we received communion and once, we prayed in silence (for two minutes).
And the shofar was sounded to begin all 31 of the services (Pam Beeman wins the perfect attendance award!)
Today is Maundy Thursday. I hope you find a church to attend and let the night that Jesus offered his disciples the Last Supper, Holy Communion, be remembered in worship.
Last year, part of Season Five of the Chosen -- which was entirely wrapped around that Last Supper -- focused on the Dayenu, which is a litany that centers around the phrase, “It would have been enough.” It reminds us how thoroughly God cares for us, guides us and protects us, and how we are grateful for each and every thing.
I wrote lyrics for a New Testament version of that, to the tune of Greensleeves (”What Child Is This?”)
Enough
A New Testament Dayenu
tune: Greensleeves
1. It would have been enough for us,
If you, Lord Jesus, had only come,
To be our Savior, to show us love,
Emmanuel, God is with us,
You, you are the Son of God,
The holy and anointed one.
Just being Emmanuel,
It would have been enough.
2. Had you dear savior
Not walked the land,
Not healed the sick,
Not preached a word,
We still would know
It would be enough,
Salvation through you is assured.
You, you are the Son of God,
The holy and anointed one.
Just being Emmanuel,
It would have been enough.
3. Above, beyond all we needed, you
Provided us with wisdom, too,
Your love exceeds
All that we could hope,
Your mercy will carry us through.
You, you are the Son of God,
The holy and anointed one.
Beyond being Emmanuel is,
Eternally more than enough.
I love ya,
Paul