May 19, 2012, at 6 p.m. at the plaza in Sabadell, Spain something happened that many will not soon forget. A lone musician, wearing a black tuxedo, stood holding a double bass. He had placed his top hat on the ground in front of him. … He waited.
Shortly, a young girl stepped forward and dropped a coin into his hat. The musician promptly began playing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” As he performed, another musician moved into place and joined in. And then another.
Within minutes, the girl found herself an earwitness to some 100 musicians and vocalists performing this spirited selection from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
The flash mob drew the attention and the admiration of young and old from across the plaza. Not to mention those, like me, who later viewed it online. Watch it for yourself by clicking HERE.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
(“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” by Henry van Dyke, to the tune of “Ode to Joy.”)
Now, let’s visit another gathering; one of a much larger magnitude. This event is captured not on video, but in print in the book that God wrote to us.
First, angels are called to take their place for this gathering. And then the sun and moon. The stars are soon summoned. The highest heavens and the waters above the heavens are each picked to find their spots. Even sea creatures. Fire and hail. Snow and wind. Mountains and hills. Fruit trees and cedars.
Are those animals? Yes, beasts and livestock, creeping things, and flying birds are called to join in. Then the rulers of the earth are commanded to step down from their position of honor to gather.
And then our turn comes. Yes, it’s our turn now. The one who penned Psalm 148, in effect, looks in our direction and commands you and me and people like us to join in this gathering. Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children (Psalm 148:11-12). Shouldn’t that make our hearts race just a bit? You and I are called to position ourselves right there alongside all of creation.
And why such a gathering? It’s for one solitary purpose. The Creator of all heaven and earth, our glorious Redeemer, is calling us to praise Him. We can do that, can’t we? Certainly, God deserves our praise and adoration. And when do we join in this universe-wide affair? It’s right now … and every “now” throughout eternity.
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 148)
