Surrounding Sounds

Jack Davis

“And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? … There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” I Cor. 14:7-10

Our Apostle Paul speaks of so many kinds of voices in the world, and that each are to give a distinction in sound, or signify something. He also speaks of uncertain sounds, and things without life giving sound.

CREATION’S SOUNDS

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Ps. 19:1-6

Is our God able to use inanimate things? Oh yes, He can and does. Consider Rom. 1:18-20. Why not, it is His creation. He is not hindered by, nor limited to human language to make His voice heard. All creation is at His disposal. Yet He has wonderfully used the tongues of men, David said my tongue is as a pen of a ready writer – Ps. 45:1, and check out Isa. 28:9-14.

Paul here in I Cor. 14: is teaching about the proper and profitable exercise of the spiritual gifts to the edification of the body of Christ. He speaks of the predominance and importance of prophesy for the edification of the church. Also, we are taught that he would that we all spake with tongues, and He was thankful to God for speaking in tongues more than all, and that speaking in tongues was not to be forbidden. He strongly indicates in this chapter that such is personally spiritually constructive. Such action was also inclusive of praying, singing, blessing and giving of thanks. Then he also says that he would rather speak five words with his own understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

In Acts 19: we read that when Paul prayed for these twelve men at Ephesus, who were believers, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. In Acts 10: we read that while Peter preached in the house of Cornelius the Gentile centurion, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word. Then the believing Jewish men that came with Peter were astonished, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. “For they heard then speak with other tongues, and magnify God.” Vs. 44-46. By the sound they heard they knew these men were filled.

On the day of Pentecost in the upper room, there came suddenly a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. Sudden sounds startle us especially when they are sounds that we are not familiar with or if we were asleep – these people also heard some familiar sounds. Then they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The multitude that heard were impressed because they heard them speak every man in his own language. These men of  Galilee were not be-lingual nor multilingual, they didn’t even speak well in their own language heard them speak in about sixteen different dialects, of the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:2,4,6,8,11. When we read of these we also think of the things with life and of sounds of certainty.

The sound of the trumpet was used to guide Israel’s activities. The movement of their camps, travel, and going to battle was done on trumpet signal, so it was very important that the trumpeter get it right. It is very important today that our lives not give uncertain sounds. Our life here and now is a time to prepare for eternity. As we prepare for our Lord’s return our lives should be signal trumpets of the nearness of His coming. Consider II Pet. 3:10-14, and I Pet. 3:13-16.

When Lot had become so settled and satisfied in Sodom and tried to signal impending judgment to his sons in law, the scripture say that he seemed to them as one that mocked – Gen. 19:14. When those women returned from the empty tomb and told Jesus’ disciples about it, their words seemed to them like idle tales – Lk. 24:11. Of course the problem here was their unbelief. This shows us what a lack of faith will do with God’s Good News.

Whatever we hear, are aware of, or attending to, seems to have great bearing on the sounds we make. There are times that we would do well to stop talking long enough to consider what we have been saying, how it sounds to others. Lord help us, that our lives not give uncertain sounds to our families and acquaintance, for the time is short. The apostle Paul said repeatedly “for we know,” often in his letters, “I would not have you to be ignorant.” I like the way the young man that was born blind, and healed by Jesus answered those questioning him. “One thing I know…I was blind, now I see” – Jn. 9:25. Actions often speak louder than words. If you stand for nothing, you will likely fall for anything.

SOUNDS OF SALVATION

(SOULS SET FREE)

“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” Ps. 89:15-16.

Oh, how blessed we are to have ears to hear and hearts to understand our spiritual blessings – Mt. 13:16. How privileged we are to have the opportunity to express our appreciation with sounds of joy and rejoicing. Jesus admonished, “Let these things sink down into your ears.” It is wonderful to allow that which He speaks take lodging in our hearts. Truly wonderful to allow such to take control of our feet, so that we not only know, but walk in the light of His favor.