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To the Glory of Gog
Lewis
Goldberg
05/5/2003
Johann
Sebastian Bach never signed his own name to his music, for he had always
dedicated his compositions "To the Glory of God." Such
humility and such deference to the source from whence his talents came is
sorely lacking today - in a world where recognition is everything. From
charity to the poor to the saving of lives from disaster, the expectance is
that somewhere the doer of the good deed will see his name on a plaque,
accept accolades on a dais, or will struggle to examine the numerous book
and movie offers sure to come streaming in. People with talent expect to be
the center of attention in social circles and public events. Men who come
up with fabulous money-making ideas for their company expect promotions,
bonuses, and whatever-of-the-month awards.
Okay...full
disclosure: I am no different. I want to be recognised as much as the next
guy - but let us consider this fault as it is - a fault of which to repent,
and not a right. The Bible says, " [t]ake heed that ye do not your
alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your
Father which is in heaven. " [Matthew 6:1] Yet how many of us do
just the opposite - even in the church? If we donate to a particular
building fund, do we not expect to see our name on the finished product? In
the workplace, do we not donate to the United Way [or the latest heathen
scam, Earth Share] to make sure our name is on 'the list?'
The
Biblical symbolism behind the prophesies regarding Gog and Magog are
arguable, as seems all prophesy, but to be certain they are no less than
the enemies of the church. Unlike Bach, we "do" for the Glory of
Gog instead of God, making ourselves gods and the enemies of the church. In
the parable regarding the servants' investment of their master's talents
[as in money, not talent as in a good dancer or somesuch,] the interest
from the investment was done on the master's behalf, not for the
enrichment of the servants.
We,
especially here in America, are given much talent, resources, and sundry
blessings of situation. To simply acknowledge and give thanks to Him whom
thanks is due takes none of the enjoyment out of reaping the material
rewards of those blessings, rather it ensures that we properly enjoy
them - without flaunting God in the process. So much in the news lately is
opined the stark differences between the life we enjoy here in [relative]
freedom and its attendant prosperity compared to the heathen in Iraq to
whom we recently put to the sword, attributing those differences to the
people, rather than the God who made us and providentially placed us here
in our condition. Reminds me a bit of fish bragging on what good swimmers
they are...
I
have editorialised previously on how I don't like how the recent war with
Iraq came about; but at the same time, Saddam was one of those guys in
history that just needed killed. Having effectively done just that, the
thanks for the success in battle goes to you-know-who, for if it wasn't to
be thus, it wouldn't have been. Had our leaders past prayed earnestly to
lead for the Glory of God just as Bach wrote his beautiful music to the
same end, how much more likely we would not have to deal with terror and
violence coming from 10,000 miles away?
Your comments and questions are encouraged. [editor@patriotist.com]
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