Mark 14:26 “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
Have you ever wondered what the apostles sang that day? They had just experienced a solemn, reverent last supper with their Lord, though I’m not sure they realized the enormity of what they were about to face. Still, they knew something big was about to happen. And so, like so many of us have done in times of uncertainty throughout the ages, they sang a song. This song set the mood for what they were about to endure.
Theologians guess that they probably sang a hymn taken from Psalms 115 – 118, which was a traditional Passover hymn. While I won’t attempt to discuss the entire Psalms passage here – you can read it for yourself – I would like to address some of the highlights. I am thrilled to find that the very truths that sustained the apostles through some of their darkest days . . . those same truths will sustain us.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us . . . he will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike. Psalm 115:12 – 13
During the coming days, the apostles would need to remember that God had not forgotten them. And friends, He has not forgotten us. No matter how small or insignificant we may feel, He knows us. He sees us. He loves us. And He will bless those who respect Him.
How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the lord in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:12 – 14
The apostles were going to find themselves in some pretty sticky situations in the coming days. They would be despised and persecuted, simply for claiming friendship with Jesus. Still, despite a few early mess-ups, the apostles stood firm. They shared the good news of salvation with all who would listen, and many of them paid with their lives.
Chances are, we won’t be asked to die for Jesus. Instead, He wants us to live for Him. He wants us to be His hands and feet and mouthpiece, loving others and pointing them to Him. He wants us to love Him and claim friendship with Him publicly, in the presence of all the people.
Great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117:2
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1
Do you feel that He has forgotten you, friends? He hasn’t. Lift up your voice, lift up your spirit to Him and tell Him “Thank you.” The same love that sustained the apostles during their darkest hours will sustain you and me. It is an unchanging, everlasting, overwhelming love. And I am so glad He pours it out on me.
Aren’t you?
Dear Father, Thank You for loving me with an everlasting love. Help me to show my thanks to You by loving others, and telling them how great You are.
Amen
Renae, I hadn’t thought before about what hymn the disciples sang with Jesus on the night of their last supper together. Thanks for sharing some good food for thought and the wonderful passages from the Psalms.
Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Thanks, Cheryl. Praying for you and your family. I hope your mother-in-law is faring well.
The power of praise is an awesome thing Renae. When you praise God He manifests His power – remember Paul and Silas in prison?
Yes, Jackie. I think there’s a verse somewhere that says God lives in our praise. I heard one person give God’s physical address as P-R-A-I-S-E. There’s a song I just thought of – that your comment reminded me of. Be back in a bit with the link, if I can find it . . .
Couldn’t find a link to the song, but here are the lyrics to Sandi Patti’s Face to Faith:
David was small but no giant could take him
And Daniel was doomed but there was not a wound
When they raised him from the lion’s den
Simon Peter, in chains, brought an angel to the rescue
Paul and Silas, in jail, were guarded to no avail
For their shackles were loose and the doors just flew open
“Now, what is the catch?” I asked one day I was readin’
It must be an age old mystery
Then, takin’ a second look
I discovered a strikingly clear consistency
Chorus:
(It’s) meetin’ disaster face to faith
Puttin’ God’s promises into place
Tendin’ to trouble with a little taste
Of what God will do when His people start callin’ His name
He anxiously awaits
To give the word to release the power that prayer creates
So we gotta learn to meet every problem that we face
Face to faith
Now, now, now, now, people
I’ve learned that God’s word can be tested
Just trust Him, you’ll see, for those who believe
He’s still a God of mighty miracles
So, when troubles hit hard
Turn to God and be patient
Just stand strong, don’t run, for there isn’t anyone
That He’s ever let down when their lives have been faithful
It’s easy to go half-way and not really do it
But that makes the consequences rough
The more the catastrophe
The sooner you see that you’re so much better off
Chorus
He will deliver us
If we only learn to trust
(We gotta start… )
Chorus
Meetin’ disaster face to faith
We gotta start meetin’ disaster face to faith
Meetin’ disaster face to faith
We gotta start meetin’ disaster face to faith
Face to faith