"They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief." - Isaiah 35:10rns and comments. God's blessings!
The mystery of Malaysia’s Flight MH 370 that disappeared from the radar with over 200 souls on board more than a year ago was further met with questioning answers as to what really happened. During the night, about the time that I awoke from sleep to wonder, ponder and go into the spiritual depths of the awesome power of God, news spread around the world that the airplane debris that washed up ashore and that the piece that was being examined is a positive flap of MH 370. But look at where it was found — Reunion Island!
We live in the age where most people are not mindful of Revelation 3: 3 “So wake up and strengthen what you still have before it dies completely.” Strengthen our rich cultural heritage, our caring and sharing when it comes to our brothers and sisters, our belief of God, the father, the son and the Holy Spirit; our training up of our children in the way they should go, so when they become adults they will continue in the way to their children; our singing of divine inspired hymns and gospel songs.
Is there no thought that the airplane flap positively identified as a part of an airplane be found nowhere else but Reunion Island? The truth will come out some day, somewhere.
This song, that is usually sung at funeral services, particularly as one of the favorite grave-side hymns reminds us that, “There will be a happy meeting in heaven I know, when we see the many loved ones we’ve known here below gathered on the blessed hill tops with hearts all aglow, that will be a glad reunion day.”
Dear readers, could it be that Reunion Island has the answers?
It really touches the heart when you see on screen, the grief of the families of those who were passengers on the MH 370 flight. God, in his infinite mercy and wisdom, will reveal and unfold the mystery.
I began my music studies very early in life, at age six to be exact when, through desperation and disappointment, my late father had harsh words spoken about refusal to play the organ in his church. He wrote on the wooden partition of our home in large chalk letters “learn music in 90 days.” By the age of eight, music students of the late Meta Cumberbatch gave a recital at the St. Matthew’s School Room; Clement Bethel was one of those students, I don’t remember his selected piece, but mine was Beethoven’s Minuet in G, which I remember to this day.
Yes, ever since my early youth when I gave my heart to the Lord, I have given my life to the cause of church music and am committed to the spreading of the gospel for as long as I live. However, I feel that this high calling is being slowly eroded away, and today, in many societies, church music seems to produce more comfort than growth, more pleasure than commitment, more acceptance than understanding.
In our text today, the Prophet Isaiah is outlining the road map of holiness: “The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wastelands. The desert will sing and shout for joy. Everyone will see the Lord’s splendor, his greatness and power. He will give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. Tell everyone who is discouraged, be strong and don’t be afraid for God is coming to your rescue and will punish your enemies.
Those whom the Lord has rescued will travel home by that road and will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever; forever free from sorrow and grief. Every person that is alive can tell a story of sorrow and grief, whether near or far removed. How can I ever forget that it was the instant recall of that hymn of the church, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” gave me the courage to go to the office of Mrs. Patricia Hermanns, of then Imperial Life Assurance Company. My whole name appeared in The Nassau Guardian telling all and sundry of the foreclosure of my home.
I told her of my financial situation and, God bless her soul forever, she was touched with the feelings of my financial situation and gave me the chance of a lifetime. Those who have thrown away their hymn books authored and composed by men women who were divinely inspired, not for that time alone, but the hope of years to come, are doing spiritual damage to themselves and families. As Grandma once said, “New broom sweeps clean, but old broom knows where the dirt lies!”
Indeed the time is nigh when not only in the world to come but here while we sojourn on earth, we will reach our national Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. We will be happy, for the righteous will reign supreme and we will be free from sorrow and grief.
• E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, Facebook Ruby Ann Darling or write to P.O. Box SS 19725 Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God’s blessings!
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