AP

Numbers 10:9-10   When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets.  Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies.  Also at your times of rejoicing – your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts – you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God.  I am the LORD your God.

As I read this chapter I  found myself singing (under my breath, fortunately for the neighbours): “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; when the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.  When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.  Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun; let us tell of all his wondrous love and care.  Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. … …” (James Black).

Just imagine what it would have been like for the fugitive tribes of Israel, travelling to their LORD-Promised Land, to hear the trumpet blast, knowing that it was the LORD himself calling them to move on together, and signifying that he would always be among them as they did! “‘Forever with the Lord’, ‘Amen’, ‘so let it be’!  Life from the dead is in that word, ’tis immortality!  Here in this body, pent, absent from him I roam, yet nightly pitch my moving tent a day’s march nearer home” (James Montgomery).

My wife and I are now at the age when Psalm 90:10 tells us we should be giving serious thought to funeral arrangements, and I am working hard at the difficult task of applying the red pencil to the 107 songs I would like sung at my funeral!

I didn’t mean to bore you with the things that are occupying my mind these days, but isn’t it wonderful just  to reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness, as Israel must have surely done during their forty years in the wilderness, and to also be reminded of, and challenged by, how the LORD reacted to any grumbling and complaining they did along the way.  Here I go again: “O soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see; there’s light for a look at the Saviour, and life more abundant and free.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.  His word shall not fail you he promised; believe him and all will be well.  Then go to a world that is dying, his perfect salvation to tell.” … remembering that the author of these words, Helen Lemmel, was blind!  Yes, I am longing for the trumpet sound that will call me home to see my Saviour, and to spend eternity with him, as a trophy of his grace.

– Bruce Christian