.jpg)
Have you ever made a deal with someone? It could be a huge financial/business type deal or something simple. Upon reflection, most of us have made the 'ol "if/then" kind of statements or commitments. The key to such brokering is that both sides keep up their end of the bargain. If one side doesn't fulfill the obligation they have set up in the accord, then the other party has the opportunity for reparation or to break the contract altogether..jpg)
.jpg)
For example, if we write a blog about music, oh for let's say...a long period...which might mean we need to be celebrating an anniversary...then would anyone read it? Stay tuned for the answer to that burning question and an up-and-coming very special edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes! Is your interest piqued?
Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes where we attempt to posit a lot of "if" scenarios...but just not the ones in today's song...drop the needle, press play, release the pause button...click the link already!!!
Written and recorded in 1971, "If" hit the Billboard Hot 100 in March and peaked at #4. "If" spent 3 weeks on the Easy Listening Chart. "If" was covered surprisingly enough by Telly Savalas, television's Kojak ("If", the single by Telly Savalas) and went all the way up to #12 on the same chart. "If" was one of 13 singles released between 1970 and 1977 from the group Bread that made the charts. It was written and sung by David Gates and until 1993 it was the shortest titled song to hit the top ten. (Prince (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Let's Go Crazy" (Prince)) hit with the song "7" in 1993 and Brittany Spears came along with the single, "3" in 2009)
"If" is one of those soft 70s classics that served to balance the counter-cultural, protest movements of its time. It is primarily a love song that ushers a moment of peace and reflection into a chaotic time. With "If" and their other hits, Bread adds their voice to other bands of the time like The Carpenters (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "We've Only Just Begun" (The Carpenters), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays" (The Carpenters)) and James Taylor (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Fire And Rain" (James Taylor), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You've Got A Friend" (James Taylor)), as they provided a musical respite in a very tumultuous moment in our nation and added to the overall soundtrack of history.
Although "If" is a great song, I'm not sure it ever got any of its questions answered. I know of some questions that were prompted by "if" statements that did, however...
Today we meet another of Daniel's contemporaries, Zechariah. (You remember Daniel. He's the focus of Tuesday's Musical Notes, November 2021, January 2022...yup time to check out the archives!). Zechariah assisted Haggai (see last week's Notes) in the marshaling of efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple upon the return of the children of Israel from 70 years of exile in Babylon. These efforts were going slow and were stymied by the people falling into some of the same issues that saw them taken into exile in the first place. God spoke to Zechariah and gave him some "if" statements that would assist the returning folks to follow God. These "if" pronouncements also caused some very candid questions to be asked.
Through the incredible visions, preaching, poetry, and prophecy of Zechariah, we see these statements:
To Joshua the priest who assisted Zechariah and Zerubbabel: If you are faithful to God, you will lead His people and become a symbol of the future Messianic king. (Chapter 3)
To Zerubbabel: Success will not come to this new temple IF it is the result of political maneuvering, success only comes IF you and Joshua put your dependence on God's Spirit. (Chapter 9)
To the nation: God will set up the temple and Joshua as its priestly example of the Messianic King IF this generation of people obeys God. (Let's face it, these folks don't have the greatest track record when it comes to obeying God...unfortunately, neither do I...what about you?) (Chapter 10)
To the nation: The Messianic King will only come IF this generation is faithful to God. (Chapter 14)
To the nation: This generation will only see the Messianic kingdom IF they pursue justice and peace and remain faithful to the covenant. (Chapter 10, 14)
"If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?..." This opening line of today's featured song seems to mirror some of the thoughts the Israelites were having because of Zechariah's prophecies. His thousand words painted a brilliant image of what the Messianic Kingdom would look like and provided them with hope and images that were unimaginable to a once exiled people. These visions came with a major qualifying "IF". Their obedience and faithfulness to God and His covenant were to be the arbiters of God's blessings that they needed so badly. Not much has changed for us has it?
Our inability to paint God is a result of our disobedience. Simply put, we don't know Him as we should. The question begs, how do we reconcile this lack of knowledge? Again, it is simple. We spend time with Him. How do we spend time with God? We read the book that is His Word. We spend time allowing Holy Spirit to draw us to Him. We spend time allowing Holy Spirit to change us into the new creation God has promised we will become by interacting with Him. We spend time with people who believe in God and His promises made through Jesus. We allow these same people to sharpen us, as iron sharpens iron, into becoming more like Jesus (disciples). (Proverbs 27:17 NASB/AMP/KJV)
So what about the most important "If"?
"If the world should stop revolvin' spinnin' slowly down to die..." then what happens to you? Do you enter an eternity where the Messianic King of the Israelites waits to welcome you with open arms in His New Jerusalem? Or do you spend the remainder of forever separated from Him and His love?
Jesus said "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me..." (The Gospel of Jesus according to the fisherman John, chapter 12, verses 27-36 NASB/AMP/KJV) Has there ever been a time when Holy Spirit (God in spirit form) has revealed Himself to you as He calls you to join Him? Has there ever been a time in your life when you surrendered your dominance in your life and gave it to His love and embrace? If so, have you given Him your "YES"? If not, why not?
Tuesday's Musical Notes is filled with the stories of Jesus and His sacrifice for us to be in eternity future in the new heaven and new earth worshiping Him. We've referenced several today and provided the links for your access. If you didn't and have a few minutes go back and read through these blogs. You will find that The Notes is continually talking about the work of Holy Spirit in the lives of those who have given God their "YES". We have written about times when He has tomorrow and today, walked beside us all the way. We have oftentimes asked our readers...if Jesus is who He said He was and did what the Bible said He did, then why don't you join Him in a blessed life on this earth and a wonderful eternity future. Please don't let this be your last..."IF"...
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><
No comments:
Post a Comment