The X Factor
April 12, 2020
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No good thing does [God] withhold from those who walk uprightly.
-Psalm 84:11, ESV
During his celebrated career as a composer, George Frideric Handel wrote forty-two operas, twenty-nine oratorios, and 120 cantatas. Of Handel, Ludwig van Beethoven said, “To him I bow the knee.” Handel certainly ranks as one of history’s greatest composers, but he hit a point of diminishing return later in life. At age fifty-six, Handel was past his composing prime. He was depressed. He was in debt. And a stroke hindered the use of his right hand. Handel was struggling to stay musically relevant, which is rather ironic given the fact that he was about to score one of history’s most iconic pieces of music.
On August 22, 1741, George Frideric Handel started composing. He would not leave his home for three weeks. In fact, he rarely left his composing chair. Twenty-one days later, Handel emerged from his writing room with a 259-page masterpiece called Messiah. The opening act prophetically points to the coming Messiah. The middle act is Handel’s commentary on the passion of Christ. The final act celebrates the risen Savior, who “shall reign forever and ever.” Finally Handel inked three letters on the last page, SDG—soli Deo gloria—“To God alone be the glory!”
That’s the backstory, but here’s the rest of the story.
Messiah debuted as an Easter offering at the Great Music Hall in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742. The music mesmerized its listeners, but it accomplished so much more than that. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a benefit concert. That inaugural performance raised £400—$86,000 in today’s dollars! And that £400 was used to free 142 men from debtors’ prison. That is what qualifies Messiah as a double blessing. The first blessing is beautiful music that inspires the soul. The second blessing? Setting 142 captives free!
Of course, that’s just the firstfruits of what was destined to become perhaps the most performed piece of music in Western history. In his will, George Frideric Handel left a full score of Messiah to Foundling Hospital. Remember the umbrella-wielding Jonas Hanway? Well, Handel funded the hospital where Hanway served as governor from 1758 to 1772. All proceeds from that piece of music were used to further its Matthew 25 mission of feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and caring for the sick.
What is the double blessing?
The first blessing is using our God-given time and talent to make a difference in the world. For Handel, that meant making music that stirs the soul. The second blessing is using the treasure that our time and talent produces, typically in the form of a paycheck, to generously bless others.
Mark Batterson
Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. NCC also owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. Mark holds a doctor of ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times bestselling author of 17 books, including The Circle Maker, Chase the Lion, and Whisper. Mark and his wife, Lora, have three children and live on Capitol Hill.
Awesome devotional…thank you!
Oh my goodness. This is beautiful and so on point for me. Thank you so much.
Hi,
Have just discovered and finished reading your book ‘Draw the circle’.
This book has been such an incredible blessing to me and an inspiration in my prayer life.
Thank you!
God bless you in your ministry.
Ray Green. (Rhyl, North Wales, UK)
I loved Circle Maker I was blessed by reading it and then blessed to be able to recommend it!
I just finished “Whisper”
Amazing and again I was truly blessed in so many ways and yet again have recommended it and also given it as a gift! Thank you