Definitely Rejoice!
Posted by Ercille Christmas at 4/12/2009 3:01 PM 
Categories: Spiritual
Tags: Captain Richard Phillips;pirates;Somali;Easter;Handel;US Navy
Categories: Spiritual
Tags: Captain Richard Phillips;pirates;Somali;Easter;Handel;US Navy
As a Christian, I am rejoicing because My Lord and Savior rose from the tomb, after a Good Friday where He willingly surrendered himself to a cross, to rescue this flawed human being (yours truly), and anyone who believes in Him, from a life of eternal damnation.
In addition to the defeat of death, that His Resurrection symbolizes, which is the main cause of my celebration today, I am also celebrating our Military, and its role in the latest pirates vs the rest of the world sea saga. Our Military got the go ahead from their commander-in-chief, to do what was necessary, to free Captain Richard Phillips, from the Somali pirates who held him in captivity in a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean.
I am not equating this rescue or the actions of Captain Phillips with Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. There is no comparison or equality. However, coming as it did, in Holy Week, this hostage drama does have some elements of the events of Holy Week. Captain Phillips turned over his life to the pirates, in order to save his crew. He willingly offered himself as a hostage, fully cognizant that he could very well not make it to Easter. He waited for five days with his life hanging in the balance, in the custody of men, who in a fit of caprice, could have ended his life. He bravely attempted to escape but was recaptured. I can just imagine that his hope of being rescued, alive, became tenuous at best.
Today as my Pastor ended his prayer of intercession, including Captain Phillips in that prayer, a member of the congregation, shouted out to the Pastor that the Capt had been rescued. Spontaneous applause rang out! We were all thrilled at the outcome. When I managed to get to read a report of the news that not only had the Capt been rescued, but three of the pirates were no longer sucking up oxygen, I uttered one word: "Good."
I am not rejoicing that the pirates are dead. Today is a day to celebrate life. "Good," means that maybe now the pirates and their ilk will realize when they see the American Flag flying over a ship, look for another "source of income." Once the bureaucracy gets out of the way, the US Military will take care of business. "Business" was taken care of today.
I am going to rejoice that Christ is alive! I am going to rejoice that Capt Phillips is free. I am going to salute him for being a leader. Quite frankly some other captains may have just had everyone surrender. He performed his duties in a heroic manner. He has already stated that he is not a hero. Sir, you are.
I am also going to salute our Military, in this specific instance our Navy, especially those Navy SEALS and snipers of the USS Bainbridge! I think that I can safely say that as Captain Phillips did, these Navy rescuers will say that they are not heroes. They are.
The surviving pirate must be muttering to himself: Why, why, why did we mess with the Americans???? Survivor, all I can say to you is that you made a bad "business" decision!
I can think of no better way to rejoice than to listen to the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, that glorious ode to Christ my Savior!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
|: King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
-
Comments