“God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.” Psalm 47:5-7
Have you noticed that every single day in North America is proclaimed a special day for some thing or cause that is probably taken for granted, but recognized by a group of people with too much time on their hands. Today, May 10, is National Lipid Day, National Shrimp Day and National Clean Your Room Day. You might like to know that tomorrow is National Eat What You Want Day. In Haiti, today is ‘Asansyon an jou’ which we know as ‘Ascension Day’ here in North America. It was shown in the list of National observed days but will surely be celebrated when our Savior returns to this world that was once perfect but has been stained so deeply by sin that often it is difficult to see the remnants of good that still can be found.
I read that Ascension Day was first celebrated by believers in AD 66. I’ve been told that not many congregations celebrate Ascension Day any longer; after all it falls on a Thursday. Just because North American stores don’t have presents, cards, flowers or candy for Ascension Day doesn’t mean that Jesus Christ is not coming back…cause He is. Will you be ready? I pray that you will pray about it today and celebrate the victory with these Haitian children from Caredeux. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Lo, God to Heaven Ascendeth’ that were written by Gottfried Wilhelm Sacer in 1661.
“Lo, God to heaven ascendeth! Throughout its regions vast with shouts triumphant blendeth the trumpet's thrilling blast: sing praise to Christ the Lord; sing priase with exultation, King of each heathen nation, the God of hosts adored! With joy is heaven resounding Chirst's glad return to see; behold the saints surrounding the Lord who set them free. Bright myriads, thronging, come; the cherub band rejoices, and loud seraphic voices all welcome Jesus home. From cross to throne ascending, we follow Christ on high and know the pathway winding to mansions in the sky. Our Lord is gone before; yet here He will not leave us, but soon in heaven receive us and open wide the door. Our place He is preparing; to heaven we, too, shall rise, with Him His glory sharing, be where our Treasure lies. Bestir thyself, my soul! Where Jesus Christ has entered, there let thy hope be centered; press onward toward the goal. Let all our thoughts be winging to where Thou didst ascend, and let our hearts be singing: "We seek Thee, Christ, our Friend, Thee, God's exalted Son, our Life, and Way to heaven, to whom all power is given, our Joy and Hope and Crown."
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay