David and Goliath

David Slaying Goliath - Rubens -1630

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17: 19-23, 32-49

Most people hearing this story identify with David, the pip-squeak who went up against the giant warrior and won. But, how many of us are more like Goliath, the over-confident braggart? He said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” 1 Samuel 17:10.

Goliath was confident because of his size, his physical strength, and his invincible armor. The epitome of the modern-day movie hero, he was Rambo, the Gladiator, and The Terminator rolled into one. Every day that Goliath went unchallenged, he became more confident, even arrogant. On the fortieth day, was he 40 times more confident than on the first day? I think so. He was probably the originator of the concept “too big to fail.”

Goliath played to his strength, but David conquered him by exploiting his weakness. This is a common theme in mythology, literature, and life. Achilles fell because an arrow pierced the unprotected spot on his heel. Superman was stronger than anything or anyone—except kryptonite. A company famous for product quality was humbled by a defect in a one component that made the product dangerous for customers to use. As individuals, we all have weaknesses that make us vulnerable to failure, sin, and death.

Being confident is not bad in and of itself. It only becomes a problem when confidence crosses the line to arrogance. Once the confident become arrogant, friends become foes. Allies morph into antagonists. While we admire Goliath for his flashy equipment and his physical superiority, in truth, we hope somebody brings him down.

Genuine confidence flows from our relationship with God, not from our own abilities or equipment. Only God can protect us from defeat from within, from being brought down by our weaknesses.

Lord, give us confidence in our abilities, but discipline us when we become arrogant. Strengthen us where we are weak, and guide us as we go about our work today.

Image source: http://freechristimages.org/biblestories/david_and_goliath.htm.

In That Great Gittin’ Up Morning

When I started the series of posts on spirituals for Lent, I didn’t expect to find more than I needed to fill the Lenten schedule. There’s one more that I want to share. It celebrates the Second Coming of Christ.

Visit this blog to get background, lyrics, and performance..

The scriptural reference for this song, according to the ACADisc website,  is “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:17.

I probably would have chosen this passage (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18):

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words” (NIV).

Listen to these two other great arrangements:

Gaither Vocal Band

University of Illinois’s Varsity Men’s Glee Club

Easter: The Angel Rolled the Stone Away

Read Luke 24:1-8.

Key Verse: He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:6a, NIV.

This song tells the story of what happened on Easter morning while also giving voice to the joy the disciples must have felt when they heard the news: He is risen!

First, take a listen to choral arrangement from CantateDeo.org.

And, don’t miss this arrangement by the Hawthorn Choir.

Chorus: Oh, the angels rolled the stone away,
‘Twas on that Easter Sunday morning
That the angels rolled the stone away.

Sister Mary she came running just about the break of day.
She was bringing news from heaven
That the angels rolled the stone away.
Great God, Almighty! Chorus.

Said the angel He is not here; He is risen as he said,
Why seek ye the living way down here among the dead.
Great God, Almighty! Chorus.

Jesus said, “Touch Me not Mary, but go on ahead of me.
Go and tell all my disciples to meet me in Galilee.”
Great God, Almighty! Chorus.

Brother Thomas he came running,
And his eyes were open wide.
Jesus said, “Man, if you doubt me,
Come put your hand right in my side.”
Great God, Almighty! Chorus.

Lyrics Source here.

Good Friday: Were You There?

This is probably the most familiar of the Easter-season spirituals. There are many scripture references that would fit, but I chose Mark 15:33-38.

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Here’s a  wonderful men’s quartet (Largo, FL) singing “Were You There?” There’s a bit of audio trouble at the beginning, but keep listening. It’s worth the wait.

And, then there’s this  solo by famous black singer Paul Robeson.

He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word

When Jesus came before Pontius Pilate, he kept silent. See John 19:1-16. Jesus knew how it would end, but he said nothing in his own defense. He did not complain or object as events played out.

The lyrics begin with: “They crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbalin’ word.”

Here’s a  very nice choral arrangement.

And, please listen to this recording  by black opera singer, Marion Anderson.

Ride On, King Jesus

Palm Sunday is this coming Sunday, April 17. Everyone knows the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem, but take a minute to read the account in Matthew 21:6-11 anyway.

There are a number of versions of the lyrics. I chose the basic one to share with you.

Ride on, King Jesus, No man can a-hinder him.
Ride on King Jesus, ride on, No man can a-hinder him.

Jesus rides on a milk white horse, No man can hinder him
The river Jordan he did cross, No man can hinder him.

See complete lyrics here. And, there’s a good bit of background for using this song on Palm Sunday here. Along with our “hosannas” this Sunday, we can also shout, “Ride on!”

There are a number of renditions online, but this is my favorite by Jessye Norman.  Take a listen.

 

Don’t miss this very creative arrangement by Rev. Timothy Flemming.

And, I just have to mention this choral arrangement by a high school choir.

Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,  for you are with me;  your rod and your staff,  they comfort me (NIV).

As Lent draws to a close, we begin to think of the events of Holy Week. Jesus knew that his ministry was coming to an end and that he would be abandoned by his followers, even his closest disciples. He knew he was the key figure in God’s divine plan, and he willingly walked the “valley of the shadow of death” for us.

Jesus walked this lonesome valley,he had to walk it by himself;
O, nobody else could walk it for him, he had to walk it by himself.

We must walk this lonesome valley, we have to walk it by ourselves;
O, nobody else can walk it for us, we have to walk it by ourselves.

You must go and stand your trial, you have to stand it by yourself,
O, nobody else can stand it for you, you have to stand it by yourself.

There are some things we must do ourselves. We cannot get someone to take our place, much as we’d like to. Except for one thing—Jesus paid the penalty for the sin of all humanity.

Listen to this spiritual performed by famous opera singer, Jerome Hines.

Lyrics source here.

Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen

I’ve often wondered about the scriptural basis for this spiritual. According to this source, it’s Hebrews 4:14-16:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

The chorus is familiar to almost everyone. It speaks to us because we all  feel like we’re all alone with our troubles at one time or another.

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen
Nobody knows but Jesus
Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen,
Oh, glory Hallelujah.

The complete lyrics are here. Whether we’re “up” or “down,” Jesus knows what we’re going through. He experienced every human emotion—joy, fear, anger, sorrow–because he was human, too. God created us, Jesus saved us, and the Holy Spirit is with us through everything. “Somebody” does know.

Listen to “Nobody Knows” offered by The Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus.

And, another great version by the great vocalist, Paul Robeson.

Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV).

During Lent, we reflect on the fact that Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins. When we accept him as our Lord and Savior, we put our old nature behind us. We want to be better people, deserving of his sacrifice.

“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” is one of my favorite spirituals. It is so simple, yet so profound. Complete lyrics here. Next, listen to this wonderful rendition.

Then, pray that we will all want to be more holy, more loving—like Jesus.

Wade in the Water

The spiritual I have chosen for second Sunday in Lent is “Wade in the Water,” which is fairly new to me. If it’s not familiar to you, I recommend that you listen first.

 

The scriptural basis for this song is not immediately obvious. The chorus is simple:

Wade in the water. Wade in the water, children. Wade in the water. God’s gonna trouble the water. See full text here.

The lyrics do refer to the “children that Moses led” in the Exodus from Egypt. They had to cross water to escape, but the Bible account says they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22). Also, the phrase “trouble the water” is from the story of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda. He waited every day for the water to stir, but he could never get into the pool because of his handicap. See details on the scripture references here.

For me, the message of this song is that we have to trust God. The Israelites were taken care of in their escape from Egypt as long as they trusted God. The lame man believed that God could heal him if he could only reach the healing water. Even if God seems to be leading us into “deep water,” we should be willing to get our feet wet, trusting God to take care of us.

Another interpretation: