A Great Choir

Singing is something that I've enjoyed doing most of my life. My first organized choir experience was the "Cherub Choir" at the sweet young age of 4. I was blessed to go to a large enough church that had an amazing music program which spanned the ages. It began with wee ones in the above mentioned choir, then on to the "Junior Choir" for older children. Then, when you had matured in your voice, you moved on into the "Senior Choir." Oh, the Senior Choir... they made a glorious sound, especially on the big holidays of Easter and Christmas! I have very fond memories of hearing all those trained voices, along with trumpets at the Sunrise Service on Easter as a child. Goosebumps!

I continued my involvement in an organized choir all the way through high school, where again, I was very fortunate to attend a school with a wonderful music program. The Concert Choir and all of it's ensembles were honored positions by try-out only. Not just anyone got to be in the Concert Choir and perfection (to sound as one voice) was expected. All of the music performed at concerts was memorized and had to be passed if you wanted to sing in the concert - which, of course, you did or your grade would suffer. Music was college level because the director wouldn't lower himself to directing anything less. Therefore, having had this experience for 14 years of my life, I held a pretty proud attitude about my singing abilities. However, much later in life, I decided to give it another shot, thinking I'd be a shoe in... I had a God-given talent... or so I thought. Oh, how wrong I was. I found out that I was a singer that could be trained if I practiced my part. Not at all a natural. I was on a praise team, for a season, that was comprised of some amazing natural talent. I very soon found out that I didn't measure up. Very humbling experience. But a necessary one none-the-less. Humility is also something that doesn't come naturally to me... I'm learning - - this was one of my training exercises. Mom possessed this highly prized (by God) attribute of humility by nature... not me.

"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5

Through these experiences I've learned, even more-so, to appreciate a good choir. True talent. Music that moves you, gives you those goosebumps. In this next verse of thanks, the writer reveals a scene that must have taken your breath away. Imagine this picture with me:

"The trumpeters and singers joined in unison; as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: 'He is good; his love endures forever.' Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud," 2 Chronicles 5:13

Here are some further details that were revealed to me as I did my digging: there were 120 priests playing trumpets, 288 trained musicians, and 128 singers. The singers were led by a man named Kenaniah, he was the head Levite and was in charge of the singing because he was skilled at it (1 Chron. 15:22). So, if my math is correct, that makes at least 536 singers and musicians thanking and praising the Lord "as with one voice." Now that would be something to give you the goosebumps!

This great and glorious thanks and praise to the Lord was celebrating the Ark of the Lord's Covenant being delivered to it's new resting place in the "inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put beneath the wings of the cherubim." (2 Chron. 5:7b)

That wasn't the end of it... THE LORD SHOWED UP!! to receive His praise. He was in the form of a dark cloud, just like the cloud that guided Israel out of Egypt and through the desert. Wow! Can you imagine if you were in church next Sunday, singing and worshiping as usual, and the glory of the Lord visibly came into your church to receive His praise and thanks?! Wouldn't that cause a stir?!

In this verse we are again reminded that "He is good; his love endures forever." The truth that mom loved so much to add to our dinner prayer. I am thankful for the lesson of this verse to help me reflect on my learning the importance of humility, the truth of God's eternal goodness, and the vision of the glorious, goosebumps making music that we will some day experience in our Heavenly Home! And my hope is that in the perfection of heaven the Lord will truly bless me with the singing talent that I once thought that I possessed here on earth.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b