A couple nights ago, as I made my way down the hallway into the kitchen, I was captivated by the sound of the ensemble, Celtic Woman, singing “A Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. My brother Jay, whom I live with, was watching it on TV. I felt comforted by the song. The sound of the words have ready access to the more personal places in the heart. Music is trustworthy. Counselor, friend in need, pick me up, the discerner of our hearts. Medicine for the soul. Faithful. The great escape. A refuge. A bridge. Getting us from one place to another. A magic carpet ride.
“The lookout came to King Jehoshaphat and told him that three giant armies were approaching the city to do battle with the little kingdom. Jehoshaphat was afraid and the fear moved him to ask God for help. . .and he prayed “Do You not rule over all the kingdoms of every nation? In Your hand are Power and Might, so that none is able to withstand You. We have no might to stand against these great armies that are coming against us. We do not know what to do, but are eyes and our ears are upon You. Please play Your music Lord.”
Giant armies coming to destroy. Fear, anxiety, sadness, frustration, guilt, compulsion, self-condemnation, confusion, uncertainty. . .the list is endless. The lilies and the dumbo sheep are getting pretty tired of it all. They’d rather listen to their music when there is peace. It makes them smile. . .they get energized by it; they feel alive. . .they are known and understood. They’re just fine, right where they are. It’s those other moments when they are not, “Good in the Moment” that they feel so helpless. They need a way out from their fears and anxieties, a way to get over to the “other side.” Wait. . .Can you hear it? It’s one of my favorite songs.
“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the prophet and he sang to all the people and to the king, ‘Listen all of the inhabitants of the city and you king Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or filled with alarm at these armies coming to destroy you, robbing you of your peace and joy. The battle is not yours, but God’s.” The lyrics to his song were encouraging. The melody was creating a way across the troubled waters. Too good to be true?
“Tomorrow, go down to where the armies are preparing to war against you. . .you will not have to fight in the battle; take your position, stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord, Who is with you wherever you go. . .So Jehoshaphat appointed singers to sing and dancers to dance and they went out to do battle with the armies, thanking God for the Song in their hearts.”
Just picture the little flock of soldiers. Dumbo sheep marching in cadence, waiting for the orders from the Captain. . .the eagles soaring above and over the raging waters, ready to do battle. The singers and the dancers throwing Lily petals along the parade route, filling the air with the Fragrance of Power, Love and a Sound Mind. Their fears had turned into faith. Faith turned them to God. The Bridge was provided.
“When they began to sing the song God authorered for them, the Lord set ambushments against the three giant armies, and they turned on each other because they had become suspicious of the others. They all were utterly destroyed. When the Jehoshaphat and His little army reached the watchtower where they could see the giant armies, Behold!. . .there were just dead bodies fallen to the earth and none had escaped. They celebrated and sang new songs “They came back to Jerusalem with Joy, playing their harps and lyres and trumpets . . .and God gave them rest.”
When you’re weary, feeling small; when tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all. I’m on your side when times get rough and friends just can’t be found. Like a Bridge over troubled waters, I will lay Me down. Like a Bridge over troubled waters, I will lay ME down. God, Himself singing His own Music to the heart. God, Himself being the Bridge, enabling His children to cross over from all the forms of death in the soul to Life. . .from burden to Blessing, from fears to Faith, from darkness to the Dawn of a new Day. O Happy Day!
Freedom little Dumbo sheep, to hear His music with those Big ears He’s given you. Freely given Beautiful Lilies of the Valley, filling the air with the Scent of Divine Music. Free Love soaring eagles, singing about God’s predestined plan for the little flock. I can hear them . . . “Some where over the Rainbow, way up High. . .”
A Good Moment 