The Joyful Noise

Yesterday was a celebration called the color festival. It is interesting how this celebration is the same time of our celebration of the Resurrection. They call this festival Holi. Just as we celebrate Holy week for the death and resurrection of Christ. I did a little research on this festival to gain some understanding.  In reading about this day and trying to understand more I became perplexed at the concepts of this worship. 

Legends

The foremost is the legend of demon King Hiranyakashyap who demanded everybody in his kingdom to worship him but his pious son, Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap wanted his son to be killed. He asked his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap as Holika had a boon which made he immune to fire. Story goes that Prahlad was saved by lord himself for his extreme devotion and evil minded Holika was burnt to ashes, for her boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.

In South India, people worship Kaamadeva- the god of love and passion for his extreme sacrifice. According to a legend, Kaamadeva shot his powerful love arrow on Lord Shiva to revoke his interest in the worldly affairs in the interest of the earth. However, Lord Shiva was enraged as he was in deep mediation and opened his third eye which reduced Kaamadeva to ashes. Though, later on the request of Rati, Kaamadeva's wife, Shiva was pleased to restore him back.

Honestly it does not make sense to me, but I was shocked to find out about how they celebrate someone not dying. And in South Asia a god considered to be loving and compassionate. 

So around 11 pm on this night I heard worship. There were instruments and loud singing coming from somewhere near our home. I assumed it was the holi festival going on and celebrating the idols. Wouldn't you?

I bet you are wondering at this point why this blog is titled The Joyful Noise. Well, at this point I opened the window to hear the sounds more clearly. The sound was so sweet to my ear and heart. It was worship to the True Living God, and this was the song of praise to the King.

With Grateful Heart Hymn

With grateful heart my thanks I bring,
Before the great Thy praise I sing;
I worship in Thy holy place
And praise Thee for Thy truth and grace;
For truth and grace together shine
In Thy most holy Word divine,
In Thy most holy Word divine.

I cried to Thee and Thou didst save,
Thy Word of grace new courage gave;
The kings of earth shall thank Thee, Lord,
For they have heard Thy wondrous Word;
Yea, they shall come with songs of praise,
For great and glorious are Thy ways,
For great and glorious are Thy ways.

O Lord, enthroned in glory bright,
Thou reignest in the heavenly height;
The proud in vain Thy favor seek,
But Thou hast mercy for the meek;
Through trouble though my pathway be,
Thou wilt retrieve and strengthen me,
Thou wilt retrieve and strengthen me.

Thou wilt stretch forth Thy mighty arm
To save me when my foes alarm;
The work Thou hast for me begun
Shall by Thy grace be fully done;
Forever mercy dwells with Thee;
O Lord, my Maker, think on me,
O Lord, my Maker, think on me
Source: http://www.hymns.me.uk/with-grateful-heart-hymn.htm

It was convicting and encouraging to hear those voices praising the King at 11 pm. What boldness and courage to worship so clearly and loudly when all else is silent. There was such a desire to just go walk and find them and worship with them. However, we have been heavily encouraged to not go out at night. So, I worshiped with them from the window. God is at work here, and things are not always as they seem.

Yea, they shall come with songs of praise,
For great and glorious are Thy ways,

Psalm 100:1 and 2
Make a joyful noise to the LORD , all the earth!
Serve the LORD with Gladness! Come into his presence with singing.