Harmony

Pastor Duck's Devotional 

Taiwan Church News 2628, July 14, 2002 

Translated by David Alexander 

I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters And like the sound of loud thunder; The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,... Revelation 14:2 

In an orchestra each different instrument has its own distinct voice and tone. When they're used by talented musicians under the direction of a skilled conductor, they produce beautiful harmony. The elder who received and wrote the revelation heard sounds voices that did not come from musical instruments. They came from heaven. Though they could not be described, they could be compared to things within human experience: waters roaring, thunder crashing, and harpists plucking and strumming. Three different sounds, but one in harmony in the Kingdom of God. On your church's board of elders there are probably many different voices. Perhaps some elders are especially concerned with spiritual care of church members, and others with physical care of the church building. Maybe some are experts at finance and others at education. Many different voices can be heard. 

How is the harmony? 

Pray for your church's elders. Pray that the Holy Spirit, serving as a skilled conductor, will lead them to a harmony of different voices, not a unison note with only one voice heard. Pray also that the harmonious music of the Kingdom of God will be heard by all who pass by your church. 

Prayer: Holy conductor, take our many voices and make beautiful music with them. AMEN 

 and far away. The Lord is with us when we are in love and when our partner breaks up with us. The Lord is with us when we get a promotion and when the company goes bankrupt and we lose our jobs. The Lord is with us when our children score the top of the class and when the police call us to pick them up for motorcycle racing. The Lord is with us when we do something kind and compassionate and when we sin and need to confess. The Lord was with Joseph. The Lord is with us. 

Prayer: Omnipresent One, teach us to trust and depend on you. AMEN