An Uncertain Sound
Today’s Verse:
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? ~1 Corinthians 14:8
The sound of the trumpet is very significant. In our American culture, we associate the trumpet sounds (or bugle sounds in the military) with Reveille (wake-up call), Mess Call (meal time), Assembly (call for troops to assemble at a designated place), or Officer Call (call for all to assemble at a designated place for instruction). There is a distinct sound associated with each call. Our devotion asks the question: “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” In other words, if an indistinct trumpet sound is made, how can the troops know to assemble for battle? The trumpet call is a matter of life and death. If the wrong sound is made, it could lead to the wrong result!
There is the sound for assembly.
In Israel, a certain trumpet call was made for calling the people to assemble for corporate worship. Corporate worship is when we gather as the people of God to exalt God’s name and Person through proper songs, the Scriptures, prayer, and giving. For Israel, corporate worship was expressive, extensive, and exhorting. It was a time when God met with His people as they met with Him. Don’t be neglectful of corporate worship. When the call for assembly is made, do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
There is the sound to arms.
Israel had a distinct trumpet call for arms and battle. Every man in the camp knew that when the call to arms was made, they had to drop everything else that they were engaged in, gather their weapons, and meet at a designated location for instruction to battle. The preaching of God’s Word is a trumpet call to cry aloud and spare not. We are in a battle with spiritual foes that will spare none. We must be ready to resist the spiritual foes and defend our place. Nehemiah told those men who built the wall with him to have a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. Should the trumpet sound, they were to be ready to meet at a designated spot and fight.
There is the sound to ascend.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” When this trumpet sounds, it will be God’s beckon for the dead in Christ to rise first, then for us who are alive and remain to meet them in the air. We refer to this as the Rapture or the Lord’s Return for us. This sound is so distinct that it is the voice of the Lord telling us to “come up hither.” It is the King’s calling for His kingdom's citizens to make their way home.
There is the sound of the Almighty.
John said in Revelation 1:10 that on the Lord’s Day, he heard a voice as of a trumpet. The voice of the Almighty is one that is authoritative. It is the voice that demands our complete attention and submission. It is the primary voice that our ears are to be prepared to hear. Many times, we are listening to too many voices and cannot discern the Lord’s voice from the others. We must be ready to hear and slow to speak. We must know the clarion call of the Lord’s voice on the Lord’s Day. His voice, like a trumpet, calls sinners to be saved, servants to give their life full-time, backsliders to come home, and the hurting to find peace and comfort in Him.
An uncertain sound will mislead us. An uncertain sound will lead to a wrong decision. An uncertain sound could be a matter of life and death. Be certain that you are listening for the right sound of the trumpet!
Have an attentive God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 24-28