Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Star Spangled Banner" (The National Symphony Orchestra, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, arranged and directed by John Williams)

Welcome to Tuesday and a very special edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Each week we go on a journey into the land of rhythm and lyric and partner it up with  a unique application from a Biblical perspective.  This week is no exception as we feature a song that resonates within the heart of most Americans.  It celebrated it's bicentennial last Saturday. 

"The Star Spangled Banner" - featuring The National Symphony Orchestra, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and the Choral Arts Society of Washington...arranged and directed by John Williams  

"O Say Can You See"...This past week was unique as not one but two very special memorial moments were held.  Our country remembered the lives and heroism of those who perished in the 9/11 attacks of 2001 on Thursday.  We remembered class mates, like Bald Knob High School class of 1982's Malissa White, husbands, wives, and even children as we recalled the horror of that Tuesday morning.  We will never forget.  

The second memorial moment occurred on Saturday as some commemorated the heroism of Ft. McHenry and the song that was inspired by that event.  Here is the story of the event that would inspire a poem that would officially become our national anthem  March 3, 1931, 117 years after it was penned:

History of The Star Spangled Banner - Wallbuilders - narrated by David Barton

 

"...By The Dawns Early Light"...These moments in American history were defining for our country.  Even after the American Revolution, with the successes of George Washington and the founding patriots, the United States continued to battle against England.  Once again in 1814, when the battle looked hopeless, patriots defended Ft. McHenry in Baltimore against a large British fleet.  The flag they raised to signify their victory over the bombardment, hangs now in the Smithsonian Institution.

"...What So Proudly We Hailed"...This year our country celebrates the 200th anniversary of that battle and the song that President Herbert Hoover and the congress of 1931 would recognize as our National Anthem.

"...At The Twilight's Last Gleaming..." Many remember where they were when they heard about the first plane.  The day continued with much uncertainty as a second and third plane would reach their destination and the reality and enormity of what was going on began to sink in.  We were once again being bombarded, but it was no longer an enemy with a face we could define that was attacking us.  As United 93's heroes brought their airplane down at the farm in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the rest of the country was wondering what might be next.  We were fast made aware of an emotion that the founders faced every day for the first 100 years of our country's existence.   

9/11 became another defining moment in our country's history.  Days after the attacks by terrorists, a surge of national pride began to swell.  Many flocked to churches and we were poised to see revival breakout amongst our nation's populace.  But like the Israelites of the Old Testament time period, our fervor for God soon waned.
  

During the recent celebration on PBS of the Bicentennial of The Star Spangled Banner, a "man on the street" clip was shown of those who would attempt to sing our national anthem.  Some new the words, sadly, some did not.  At times it seems patriotism has fallen on the altar of political correctness.  I was reminded of a recent interview where this topic came up:

"The Two Lines Duck Dynasty Patriarch Phil Roberson Is Waiting For An Elected Official To Say" - The Blaze

Even Jesus' Disciples were not immune from the politics and peer pressure of their day:

 

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding of Him a sign from heaven to test Him.  But sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you: No sign will be given to this generation!”  Then He left them, got on board the boat again, and went to the other side.They had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then He commanded them: “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They were discussing among themselves that they did not have any bread.  Aware of this, He said to them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have any bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Is your heart hardened?  Do you have eyes, and not see, and do you have ears, and not hear? And do you not remember?  When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they told Him.
 “When I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?”
“Seven,” they said.
  And He said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?” - Mark 8:11-21 (HCSB)

As we look behind to these crucial moments in our nations history, we must remember, and when appropriate, we must celebrate.  But we must also look around us and see the needs that are to some as equally traumatic as those of 9/11 and 9/13.  We must not only wave the flag that stands for freedom but fan the fires of revival that are restorative to individuals as well as nations.  As followers of Jesus, we must always be on the lookout to show the love of God to other folks.  To do that our eyes must be wide open..."O Say Can You See..."

"Asleep In The Light" - Keith Green
 

'Till Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy