A friend recently spoke of his deep grief over the sudden death of his adult son. A man twenty-one years old died suddenly when an asthma attack would not subside. I asked my friend if he had considered the words of King David when David lost his son, Absalom.
“The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you–O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33)
My friend invited me to please go view this YouTube video and listen to Thomas Tompkins’ (1572-1656) When David Heard. He explained that this beautiful composition had given him great comfort. So, today, Garrett-Evangelical invites you to pray for those who grieve by viewing this window and listening to this beautiful music performed by the Cambridge Singers.
This detail from the David Window in Howes Chapel is remarkable in its tenderness and loving kindness. The David Window is based on Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes.” We see David looking up into the heavens, and the Law is descending as a gift. But look carefully at the way the artist has painted this scene. David’s hands are ready to reach in wonder and acceptance, but tenderness of this moment has yet to be held. so the hands hesitate. The Law comes to David, not in some abstract manner. No, the Law comes down, held gently, graciously, in the Hands of God. It is not only we who are held. The Word, itself is also held in God’s hands. Today, we at Garrett-Evangelical lift up one of the beautiful psalms of David as a way of praying into the deep hurts and anguishes of the recent natural disasters which have been experienced throughout the world.
Psalm 77
God’s Mighty Deeds Recalled
To the leader: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm.
1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, that he may hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I think of God, and I moan;
I meditate, and my spirit faints. Selah
4 You keep my eyelids from closing;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old,
and remember the years of long ago. 6 I commune with my heart in the night;
I meditate and search my spirit: 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love ceased forever?
Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah 10 And I say, “It is my grief
that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”
11 I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will meditate on all your work,
and muse on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is so great as our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have displayed your might among the peoples. 15 With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
the very deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered;
your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world;
the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea,
your path, through the mighty waters;
yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron
Each day during Lent, Garrett-Evangelical will pray through one of the beautiful windows of Howes Chapel. Today on Ash Wednesday, we look out to the World through the David Window. Notice that David’s eyes are focused on the Law which comes to him as a gift from God. The Law is not a burden; it is delight.
“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all time. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.” Psalm 119:17-24 KJV
Eternal God, Open our eyes; enable us to see wondrous things out of your law. Lift our eyes beyond this campus in Evanston, and give us the capacity to receive your law with instructions to pray fervently and earnestly for your world. Amen.
