Read
Isaiah 24:14-16 (NIV)
They raise their voices; they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty. Therefore, in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.”

Reflect
Some of the most beautiful music comes from the most unlikely places. Our youngest foster son, who has no language, loves music. To hear him sing out with little sounds the song, “Our God Reigns” is one of those beautiful sounds. I recall my first trip to Tanzania to hear a choir that had walked two days to greet us at a small church. They had only percussion instruments (home made) and their voices. I did not understand the words at that time. Once again one of those beautiful sounds I will always remember.

The scene in Isaiah, sadly, is a picture of a devastated earth defiled and consumed by the sins of humanity. If Isaiah were writing today, he might include media images of the devastation left by natural disasters, wars, pollution, power mongers, and suicide bombers. But in the midst of all the sadness and horror, Isaiah hears singing from the ends of the earth. The singing doesn’t fit the scene, but it’s a happy song, a song of praise to the Righteous One.

The joyful hope we can bring to the world is the message that God reigns and will set all things right one day. In the midst of devastation and surrounded by the waste of our own lives, we can sing because we see a vision of the Lord Almighty reigning in glory. And perhaps one of the best ways to get the world to listen is not to turn up our volume but to let others overhear the sweet sounds of God’s love through our lives.

Pray
Lord, no matter how things may seem, you are still in charge. You rule the nations of this world, and you rule our lives. Set all things right and help us to sing. Amen!

Singing From The Ends Of The Earth

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