On Eagle's Wings

After the Christmas season, our choir took several weeks off. We supplemented with "Special Music" in the meantime. Today was the first time we performed, but we had no opportunity to rehearse.

Some time ago, I put aside a particular arrangement of "On Eagle's Wings" for just such a situation. This anthem is often performed at funerals, which always come without prior knowledge. In case we have to assemble a choir quickly, and perform at a moment's notice, we have this arrangement in our back pocket. It's very simple: Mostly melody with a "Descant" harmony on the choruses. Often, I'm the one who sings the descant, while the choir, and congregation sing the melody.

So, we performed it today. Not just because of the lack of rehearsal, but it was oddly fitting for the lectionary readings which dealt with putting aside worries, and trusting in God. That, and the Inauguration of Donald Trump happening 2 days ago.

Like many Americans, I find Trump's appointment to the highest office in the land frustrating. In the words written by the cast of "Hamilton;" I, too, am "alarmed and anxious" over it. So, faced with the possibility of an oppressive four years under President Trump, I found solace in singing words such as...

"You need not fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you, Near you it shall not come.
For to His angels He's given a command, To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up Lest you dash your foot against a stone."

But as I sang, another thought occurred to me. Trump's speech on Friday had a frightening tone to it. He described a nightmarish vision of the state of the country.

"Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential."
Which he finished with...

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now."

His entire speech had roughly a similar message as "On Eagle's Wings."  The only difference is that in his speech, he states that we should be relieved that he's in power now, to save us from the troubles of the world; and in the song, we turn to God to save us from the troubles of the world.

You might hear "On Eagle's Wings" and find a different meaning, depending on which set of "facts" you choose to believe; the country is either now in serious trouble for the next 4 years, or it has been for the past 8 years.

What's important to me as a Christian, is whom each scenario turns to for protection and relief. Should we turn to President Trump, or to God? I don't think it's my place to tell you what to believe; but I believe that one of those answers is inherently blasphemous. Even if you do believe that the country needs saving from the current state in Washington, it should be God who guides you, protects you, and gives you solace, not the President, be it President Obama, or President Trump.

As President Lincoln said, "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:1-12