THE GOD WHOM WE WORSHIP IN SONG
‘MAJESTY’, ‘AWE’, ‘SPLENDOR’, ‘GREATNESS’, ‘POWER’, ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS’, ‘HOLINESS’, ‘MERCY’, ‘LOVE’, ‘FAITHFULNESS’, ‘GOODNESS’, — these are just some of the most common attributes of God which are contained in the TRIUMPHANT songs which we sing Sunday by Sunday. But little mention is made of the ‘GOD OF JUSTICE’ (and the millions who are suffering poverty and oppression as a result of injustice) and the ‘PERSECUTED JESUS CHRIST’ (and the thousands of Christians who are persecuted for his sake.
1.THE GOD OF JUSTICE
God’s servant (Jesus Christ) will ‘bring justice to the nations’ — Isaiah 42:1, God promises, concerning his chosen servant, that ’A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory’ — Matthew 12:20.
We must not merely sing about God’s justice. We need to pray – especially for countries where injustice is so clearly evident. We need to give to those organizations which are seeking to relieve injustice. (For more details about praying and giving, go to www.worldvision.com.my). Furthermore it is time that a ‘small army ’ of committed Christians should be serving Jesus Christ, on a short-term or long-term basis, in poorer countries overseas. (Your Pastor/Elder will have information about the increasing number of Malaysian Overseas Missionary Organisations).
2.THE PERSECUTED JESUS CHRIST
Saul breathing out murderous threats and armed with official permission. was making his way to Damascus in order to take the Christians, whether men or women, as prisoners to Jerusalem. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and he heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied – see Acts.9:1-5. Twice Jesus stated that Saul (later known as Paul) was not merely persecuting Christians – he was persecuting Jesus Christ himself.
Do we ever worship the persecuted Christ in song? How often do we pray for, give towards, or whenever possible correspond with, those who are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ? (For further information go to www.opendoors.org).
And what about the persecutors? Little do they know – governments and government officials, religious authorities, workmates, friends, neighbors, family members – that when they threaten, harm or kill those who belong to Jesus Christ they are in fact, persecuting Jesus Christ himself. Therefore it is vital that we obey our Lord’s command, “pray for those who persecute you” – Matthew 5:44. We must ask God earnestly to reveal himself to them – through visions or dreams, through signs or wonders, through audio/visual/literature, through personal contact with Christians or through any other way of his choosing.
I praise God for the growing number of Christians in Malaysia who are concerned with both evangelism and social justice. I pray that some of them, to whom God has given musical talent, will be able to help us worship the ‘GOD OF JUSTICE’ and the ‘PERSECUTED JESUS CHRIST’ through the songs (both words and music) which the Lord will give them.
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