July Devotion Amanda Stacey, Worship Leader As a musician I have grown to love to research the history behind the music that I perform. Whether the music is secular or sacred I find interesting the stories behind the compositions as well as the mindset of their composers. Since it is July, the birthday month of our great nation, I have been thinking about the story behind “The Star Spangled Banner”. I have performed this song more times than I can remember. However, what does occur to me each time I sing our Nation’s Anthem is the impact that the events of September 13, 1814 had on its composer, Francis Scott Key, as he saw his nation’s banner still waving after the brutal Battle of Baltimore. The Battle of Baltimore took place 38 years after our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. British warships relentlessly sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. The assault on Fort McHenry lasted 25 hours. One week earlier, a young American lawyer by the name of Francis Scott Key had boarded the flagship of the British Fleet in hopes of rescuing a friend who had recently been arrested. Key’s efforts to rescue his friend were successful. However, he and his companions had gained knowledge of an impending attack on Baltimore that resulted in the men being held captive by the British Guard. Eight miles away, Keys anxiously watched the attack on Fort McHenry. In his own words Keys wrote- It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone, Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of the dawns early light on September 14, he saw the American flag—not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory.(smithsonianmag/history/the-story-behind-the-star-spangled-banner-) After such a brutal battle, what a relief it must have been for Key to see the U.S. standard raised in victory. The Bible tells us that as Children of God, we are in a brutal battle to the finish. Each one of us have a battle all our own. And how many times does it seem like those battles that we must fight are never ending? In Ephesians 6:12 Paul states, “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Although our adversaries are not a physical force, such as the invaders at the Battle of Baltimore, the fear and anxiety that Francis Scott Key must have experienced is just the same as ours. As he was held captive on the ship to watch the fight, we are told to be still and know that we serve a God who has already fought and won the battle that we face. Jesus promised- I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. God promised that when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19 KJV) Though fragile and worn, the flag that Francis Scott Key saw waving over Fort McHenry has been preserved and is on display in The National Museum of American History. When I think of the standard that God raises for us in our time of overwhelming fear and struggle, I think of the hope that can only be found in Jesus. As a child of God we have the comfort of knowing that God’s promises hold true from generation to generation. As a worship leader I think in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. As I think of our Savior and His faithfulness that is never worn or made fragile by the passing of time, I think of a line from one of my other favorite songs- ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.’ Psalm 34:19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:42:54 +0000
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