Devotion • April 3
Today's Hymn
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the church in earth and heaven.
by Charles Wesley
Hymn 610, Glory to God
verse 5
Reflection
If you hold the damper pedal down and sing a note into a piano, the corresponding strings will vibrate in sympathetic resonance. For me, Charles Wesley’s verse similarly quickens a beloved affirmation in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints…”
If you hold the damper pedal down and strike a key on the piano, the strings of that note will vibrate. Other strings in the harmonic series will also vibrate in sympathetic resonance, imbuing the note with the timbre that speaks “piano” rather than, say, “tuba.” Strings belonging to notes outside the harmonic series will not respond. If the original note is dampened, its harmonic brethren keep reverberating.
If you hold two identical tuning forks, one in each hand, and strike one — the other will also vibrate in sympathetic resonance. Their sound will be faint because they are alone incapable of producing strong waves through the air. Planted on a firm foundation, their tone will resound.
In Ephesians 2:14 Paul wrote, “For he [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…”
Resonance can shatter glass and crack concrete. Interestingly, Paul and Silas were singing when the earth quaked and the prison around them crumbled (Acts 16). Trumpets and shouts brought down the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6).
We, the church, are the body of Christ. We are a singing body.
What might God accomplish if the church in earth and in heaven sang — all together, all at once, everyone, in every place?
“O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise…”
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the church. Please fulfill your purpose for us. To you be all glory forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Written by Jeanette Chung, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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