"Today, let's reflect on the importance of humility.
No matter how talented we are - whether
we can sing, dance, compose music, write, lead, or excel in studies - without humility, our
talents are worthless. As the Bible reminds us, "Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to
downfall" (Proverbs 16:18).
Pride will lead to our downfall. But when we humble ourselves before God, He can use us in
extraordinary ways. Let's look at the example of Handel, a gifted composer and musician.
George Frideric Handel was a German-born English composer. He wrote the most famous of
all oratorios, The Messiah (1741). The Messiah seemed to offer a sense of hope and light to
the people. Messiah was born in kind of the dark shadows of the Enlightenment. Britain was
at war. The infant mortality rate in London at the time was 75%. And so, Messiah us a kind
of piece of art, that is grappling with, what possible basis for hope could there be, when you
have all of this evidence around you to suggest otherwise. This masterpiece has offered
nearly the same message for nearly 300 years, that there is always hopeIt's probably the most
heard piece of classical music on earth and the most sung and the most recorded.
Handel composed Messiah without getting much sleep or
even eating much food. When his assistants brought him
his meals, they were often left uneaten. His servants would
often find him in tears as he composed. When he
completed “Hallelujah,” he reportedly told his servant, “I
did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God
Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”
Although the first performance in Dublin on April 13, 1742,
was a huge success, Messiah wasn’t met with the same
excitement in London the following season. Six scheduled
performances were cancelled by Handel in
1743, Messiah was completely removed from the 1744
schedule, and it wasn’t performed in London until 1749.
In another reversal of fortunes, London’s Foundling
Hospital held a fundraising concert, where Handel
performed a mix of new music and well as older pieces
including the “Hallelujah” chorus. At the time, Messiah was
still somewhat unknown to London audiences, but the
concert was so well received that Handel was invited back
the next year, where he performed the
entire Messiah oratorio. Performances of Messiah became
an Eastertime tradition at the Foundling Hospital until the
1770s. Earnings from many early performances of the
oratorio were used to help the poor, needy, orphaned,
widowed, and sick.
In 1910 the Tabernacle Choir made its first recordings,
which included the “Hallelujah” chorus; this was most likely
the first recording of Messiah music outside of England. It
was also the first recording of a Messiah piece to use an
established choir, as all early recordings were made using
temporary choirs comprised of provisional singers.
Text for “Hallelujah” comes from the book of Revelation in
the New Testament. Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:16: “And he hath
on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of
Kings, and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 11:15 reads, “And he
shall reign for ever and ever.”
Despite his immense talent, Handel remained humble. His composition, the Messiah, has
become a classic, touching countless lives worldwide.
The Bible says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10).
Like Handel, when we recognize that our talents are gifts from God and approach Him with
humility, we open ourselves to His guidance and blessing.
May we learn from Handel's example and humble ourselves, that God may use us to touch
lives and bring glory to His name. As the Psalmist writes, "The Lord sustains the humble"
(Psalm 147:6). May we strive to cultivate humility, and may God bless and use us for His
purposes."
As we conclude, let's ask God to make us instruments of worship, lifting our hands and lives
to Him. May our hearts be vessels for His glory, our words be messengers of His love, and
our actions be reflections of His grace. Let's surrender ourselves to be used by Him, that we
may bring joy, hope, and light to those around us.
"Let's reflect on Philippians 2:3-4, which encourages us to cultivate humility and value others
above ourselves. As we strive to live out this verse, let's ask God to help us become
instruments of worship, used for His glory and purposes. May our lives be a sweet melody,
playing out His love and grace.
Now, I'd like to invite Etwapeule to sing a beautiful song that resonates with this theme -
'Lord, Make Me an Instrument.'
