Taps

While pastoring in Manassas, I did many funerals for military officials. At almost every funeral a bugler played “Taps.” I wondered where the funeral director found so many good buglers until one day I discovered the secret. There was a trumpet that had a battery in it, and all you had to do was push the button. I was surprised,but in reality, the bugler was always far enough away from the crowd that no one realized whether he or she was playing or not. Many of the verses associated with “Taps” end with the phrase “God is nigh” (God is near). Whether Taps was played as night settled in or at a funeral, the lyrics offer soldiers the assurance that God is near.

In the Old Testament, trumpets were a reminder that God was near. In the middle of celebrating the feasts and festivals between God and the nation of Israel, the Jews were to “sound the trumpets.” (Numbers 10:10) The trumpets reminded the people that God was available when they needed Him the most.

Today is no different than in Old Testament times. We need to be reminded today that God is available when we need Him. Facebook has been flooded with prayers for our country and our people. We need the trumpets to play “Taps” today! We need to be reminded that God is available and has always been available. Remember the words for “Taps” are “God is nigh” (God is near). We should sound the trumpets to remind the world that God is always close by and will hear our prayers.

Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you that you respond to my call for help. Assure me that you are ever close and will help me in my need. Amen

Numbers 10:10 – “At your times of rejoicing – your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts – you are to sound the trumpets.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Adobe iStock