This post is one in a series of posts called “Glimpses of God” which I am writing as part of the Write31Days blog challenge. You can find the other posts here: 31 Glimpses of God Blog Challenge (#write31days)
Yesterday’s glimpse of God’s glory arrived in the shape of a nine year old boy. This boy has a precious heart for Jesus and for his friends. He is such a sweetheart; always helping out in Sunday school, anxious to answer questions and possessing a meek heart that surely makes his Savior smile. This boy also wears a cochlear implant which allows him to hear what he otherwise could not.
Watching this boy during music time yesterday was like watching God Himself smile. This tenderhearted little boy worshipped His Lord unashamedly and from deep within his soul. While he joyfully sang along to every song, it was the last one which took my breath away. The music leader had told the kids they could sit down for our last song, “Whom Shall I Fear” (aka “God of Angel Armies”). The kids all sat down as the music began to play:
“You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the lightWhom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger stillWhom shall I fear?”
At this point in the song, with all the other children still sitting, this boy stood up and began to sing with abandon. He gently swayed to the music; his arms slightly lifted and his eyes closed. He was obliviously to all around him. This little one stood proudly before his King, worshipping for his audience of one.
Other children noticed him, but not one snickered or made fun. Instead, they slowly began to stand and join him. Not all, but several other children stood up and began to sing out, eyes closed, arms just barely lifted.
“I know who goes before me
I know who stands behindThe God of angel armies
Is always by my sideThe one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mineThe God of angel armies
Is always by my sideMy strength is in your name
For you alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victoryWhom shall I fear?”
This boy lead worship yesterday. Not from up in front of the classroom, not in a traditional way. But simply from a heart that was genuinely worshipping Jesus. I wondered as I watched him if he could feel the music more because of his hearing challenges. Does he not take music for granted as much as others because he knows what it is to not hear?
Possibly. But watching him sing and then hearing his heart later that morning as he shared with our class as we were talking about being on God’s team – that whether or not you make a sports team doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you try your best and do it for Jesus. And that Jesus’ team is big enough for everyone and it’s the best most important team ever – I believe he was just praising the God of angel armies and so engrossed in worship that others wanted to experience what he was experiencing.
What a beautiful and inspiring glimpse of God’s majestic glory! What have we to fear today with the God of angel armies on our side?
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg
See you tomorrow,
Jen
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