Thursday, May 28, 2009

The King and His Law (Acts 2)

We are approaching the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which commemorates the day when God gave the ten commandments to the world -- and to us. For a chuckle, follow this link.

The King has the right to lay down the law for his subjects. His Kingdom is one where the lives, properties, families, and reputations of His people are valued, and deemed worthy of protection.

Several times in sacred writ, when God assumes His earthly throne, it's amid flames. When Moses erected the tabernacle, for example, fire fell from heaven to defend the honor of the throne. When Solomon consecrated the temple, again, heavenly fire appeared.

As Peter told the astonished crowd on the day of Pentecost,
Act 2:32 Tanrı, İsa'yı ölümden diriltti ve biz hepimiz bunun tanıklarıyız.
Act 2:33 O, Tanrı'nın sağına yüceltilmiş, vaat edilen Kutsal Ruh'u Baba'dan almış ve şimdi gördüğünüz ve işittiğiniz gibi, bu Ruh'u üzerimize dökmüştür.
Jesus, raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sitting enthroned. Taking up residence among His people. Reversing the effect of the Tower of Babel, by empowering his people to make their message clear to all those around them, despite barriers of language or nationality.

Charles Wesley had an experience with divine regenerating grace on Pentecost Sunday, and wrote a Pentecost Carol to commemorate the day, and his experience. Every Methodist reader will recognize it!
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread thro' all the earth abroad,
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease.
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life and health, and peace.

He breaks the pow'r of canceled sin,
He sets the pris'ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood availed for me.

Hear him ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind behold your Savior come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy.
Here's a youtube performance.

Oh, for a thousand Turks to sing ...

1 comment:

Al ve oku said...

Audrey's link is to a language learning service. Since I enjoy studying languages, I'm glad to post her comment here. I also invite my readers to visit livemocha.com, a free language learning online community.