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Many Voices, One Lord

Maureen Longnecker

“Oh clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” Psalm 47:1

The summer after my sophomore year at Washington Bible College, I gained a new appreciation for the common bond I have with fellow believers in the body of Christ. I went with an ABWE missions team to the Amazon jungle in Peru and was surrounded by people who spoke a different language. I struggled to pick up words that I could understand. One night, however, I learned that in God’s family, words aren’t always necessary.

I had never been in such a crowded church. The pews were packed, the aisles jammed, men were sitting in windows, and a crowd stood outside. An atmosphere of eager anticipation permeated the muggy air as the song leader announced the first chorus.

Right on cue, hundreds of Spanish-speaking voices joined together. I didn’t know the melody, and I couldn’t understand most of the words, but it didn’t matter. I recognized God’s love in the shining eyes of my Peruvian brothers and sisters in Christ. They joyfully sang so loudly that it sounded as though they were shouting. Their clapping hands became instruments of worship before our God.

Hearing praises sung in Spanish made me think of that future day when people from every language and nation will stand together before the throne of God and worship Him. As I listened to the voices, I felt as though I was getting a glimpse of what heaven must be like. My thoughts went to Revelation 7:9, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.” I look forward to that day!