Ring the Bell

https://odb.org/MY/2021/11/01/ring-the-bell-2

Ringing the bell is an act to signify victory over cancer after going through bouts of radiation. It marks the end of chemotherapy, having conquered the cancer cells. It’s a practice that started in the US but has spread across cancer centers across the world. I saw this once on the medical TV series, New Amsterdam.

The sons of Korah, the writer of today’s ODB Scriptural reference Psalm 47, had a dark past. Their ancestors were part of a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They were Levites set aside for full time service but only the descendents of Aaron were allowed to serve as priests. The Kohathites had the ardous task of transporting the implements of the Tabernacle but they had to do it on their shoulders and were not lowed to transport them by carts unlike the other Levites. So it was really tiring for them when the Israelites moved camp. Remember they were in the desert then. So this led to a rebellion by 250 men led by Korah and two others, Darren and Abram. In a show of divine power, the rebels and all they had were swallowed up by the earth and a fire came out from the LORD and consumed all of them. The children of the rebels were however spared and out of that remnant arose the sons of Korah who in the subsequent years became warriors for God and during David’s time became musicians in the royal court of David and composers of Psalms, a life dedicated to worship and song for God. A remarkable rise indeed from the ashes for a group of people!

No matter how dark our past was or the past of our descendents, we can all have the “ring the bell” experience of having victory over our past background as we accept Jesus Christ into our lives as Lord and Saviour. Like education having raised the standard of living of a whole generation of Malaysians from more humble beginnings to middle class trappings, Christ is able to turn our lives around like He did with the sons of Korah. From a forefather of a rebel who was severely dealt with by God, to a whole generation of composers and musicians at the Royal Court of David. Maybe it is not immediate, maybe it will take a generation or two, but surely God is able to transform us for the better, for His name’s sake that His glory may shine forth through our families and descendants. Over time and generations, our spiritual awakening and discovery in Christ will definitely lead to an uplift of our lives and it is a logical result as Christ brings the blessings of heaven upon our families and if we know Christ, it is less likely we will indulge in the vices of women, drink and gambling or be involved in criminal activities.

God can turn us around no matter how dark our past was. There is always a new beginning from God, a fresh start that will not only lead us onto the path to eternal life but will bring our families and loved ones to a better future here on earth as surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow us for the rest of our lives as we dwell in the house and the presence of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:6).