09 December 2005 Devotion for Today "Hallelujah Chorus" Revelation 19:6

09 December  2005  Devotion for Today  “Hallelujah Chorus”   Revelation 19:6

 

Last night we attended a Christmas concert given by the local high school symphonic band.  Our son and several young people we knew in the community were in it, and they did an excellent job.  The final number was the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”  As the tune began, I knew instinctively to stand- that’s what I’ve always been told to do.  Its like standing when the National Anthem is played.  Its rising out of respect and reverence to God to whom this number is dedicated.  It all began when King George II of England, upon hearing it for the first time, rose in a gesture of worship.  As he stood, everybody stood, and so it has been for the past 250 years.  It was obvious, however, that not everyone in the audience understood the protocol.   Some stood, others- probably the majority-sat.  Others looked around tentatively for guidance.  To me it seemed like just another casualty of the culture war in which we are engaged.  It may also be a result of spiritual or perhaps even cultural ignorance which has been sweeping the country over the past generation.  When you can show up at a funeral wearing jeans and a flannel shirt; when people don’t seem to know to take their hat off in church, a restaurant, or in the hospital; when people don’t seem to know that its impolite not only to let your cell phone ring but also to chat away on the silly thing in the middle of a worship service- what more should we expect of our culture than not to know that one is supposed to rise at the playing of the Hallelujah Chorus?

 

Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
 King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  Hallelujah!

 

The text is drawn from three Scriptures from Revelation

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 19:6

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)

 

So whether you stand or sit, what can be more magnificent than to hear the chorus, or the entire work being rendered at Christmastime?  As eloquent as Handel was, he admitted that even he could not do justice to expressing the sight of the glory of God.  Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth! 

 

Have a blessed day!

 

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net

 

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