THE VOICE

I Was Just Thinking About – THE VOICE.

Isaiah 58:1 states: “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression …their sins.” There are many things one takes for granted. It is very easy to become matter-of fact and conclude that things will always be as they are, free of limitation. For one who has been called as a Pastor-Teacher, the voice is an important part of one’s ability to preach the Word of God. When I was a student in Seminary and invited to give a sermon in a rural church setting where there was little or no amplification, one older, retired servant of the Lord said to me on more than one occasion: “Thank God for your voice. It is clear and we can hear it.”

For almost 60 years, the Lord has allowed me to use my “voice like a trumpet” for Him. Until, that is, one day in November 2017, when my voice was halting and the “sound like a trumpet” became muffled. Suddenly, I was unable to speak clearly. I was having difficulty swallowing and breathing. After seeing an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, it was determined that I had developed Lymphoma and one of the glands in my throat was causing blockage. One suggested remedy would’ve been radical surgery. A Lymphoma Specialist took over my case and expressed confidence that, even though my Non-Hodgkin’s classification was Stage 4, there was a remedy. After weeks of treatment, the speaking voice returned. The vocal cords are returning to being more normal. The one place where further therapy is needed is in the area of an increasing ability to sing the Hymns of the Church.

I have often marveled how people who could shout loudly and exhibit all kinds of voice-range at a sporting event will not – and do not – use their voice in adoration and praise of the Lord when hymns are being sung in a church worship service. Psalm 100 instructs us: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Psalm 81:1, “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to God.” Hebrews 13:5, “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Jeremiah 33:11. “The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord.”

Consider the use of one’s “voice like a trumpet.” The servant of the Lord is mindful of the function assigned to him. Passages such as, Isaiah 58:1 states succinctly how the Lord wants His servant’s voice to sound and what message He wants it to utter: “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression…their sins.” The use of the “voice like a trumpet” should be heard above the clamor and noise of a given day. It is to sound clearly and sharply. It is to be used to pierce through all other sounds or noise. A cautionary word about the use of the “voice like a trumpet” is given in First Corinthians 14:8 (NASB), “If the bugle (trumpet) produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?”

Many voices have been raised throughout history and in the contemporary culture that are contrary and something other than the “voice like a trumpet” for the Lord. The Biblical Christian community may mumble and grumble about what is taking place, but how often do they raise their voice with distinctiveness and clarity? How willing are they to stand in the gap and lift up the standard of God’s Word in a culture that is running amuck? If one is to use the trumpet so the sound is clear and heard above the din of the world requires practice and use. The less one uses the trumpet the less clarity of sound will be heard if one begins to blow into the horn – it will be a muffled sound.

In 1916, George W. Kitchin wrote the words to Lift High The Cross. Some of the lyric includes: So shall our song of triumph ever be: Praise to the Crucified for victory. (Refrain) Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.