All to Him I Owe

Psalm 87:7 ESV

Singers and dancers alike say,

                “All my springs are in you.”

As our the intellectual and entertainment industries have become the major sources of cultural change it is interesting to see how God has used the root of these American industries in the course of History. To rightly understand it we look to how he has used these skills previously and what he has chosen to record for us in the text of scripture? The Harvards and Hollywoods of this world have sought power and control and found corruption and the praise of man that they long for. Into this the Psalmist cries out in praise, wonder, and joy for The City of God.

The Psalm begins with the Love of God for his city. We see Jesus declaring his love for the city as he weeps over the city he is about to enter (Luke 19:41) he then pronounces its destruction as he is leaving a few chapters later (Luke 21). He cries because he loves it and longs for it to repent and turn but his righteous justice will not be denied its destruction is sure. The Psalms are fulfilled in Christ. The Psalmist tells of the wonder of this City of God. The end tells us that the entertainers recognize that ALL their “springs are in you.”   To have all that makes the heart leap for and long for be bound to God himself!

How often does my heart fall short? Not only taking joy where it should not be found but, even when it is a place where joy should be found, I do not ascribe the source of that joy to him who has graciously given every good and perfect gift! I join the Israelites in the Exodus and the Northern Kingdom of Israel in choosing to think it is because of my ability and wisdom that victories have come. When in reality, it is because of his great name!

Jerusalem was not a great and majestic city, because David chose to centralize his government. It was not beautiful because Solomon chose to spend the wealth of an arms dealer on its walls. Nor was the Temple Holy because Herod chose to garner the peoples favor by endowing it with multiple building projects. God used all these means to accomplish what he desired, but the reason Jerusalem is Holy ground, and above all other cities is because it is the place that he chose to put his name. Because God chose to build a new Jerusalem to outshine its earthly predecessor.

To this city every right minded “artist” must recognize his creativity and skill are given him. Springing forth from the author of life, the champion of peace, the joy of man. Even as he gave to Bezalel and Oholiab the skill to build his temple (Exodus 31:1-3), he fills skilled craftsman today with the abilities they have. Even as many in our modern entertainment industry choose to use those gifts to corrupt and pervert what God desires, they must do so through the gifts he has given them. Even as they deliver their message, they must tip their hat to him who created all things.

The spring of water was the ancient source of life, blessing, prosperity, a future and a hope. Our spring is truly and rightly grounded in God himself.

“In Christ Alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.”

Coram Deo