City Of God - Douglas Byler (Cantabo)

The City Of God - Douglas Byler was commissioned by Cantabo for our 2024 season. This is a 3 movement piece: 1. Sojourn 2. Planting 3. The Gates of Zion This piece of music explores the threads of the “city” theme throughout the Bible. While obviously not an exhaustive treatment of this subject, the texts chosen provide a framework of God's work throughout history, beginning with the calling of nomads “dwelling in tents” and promising them land and a home. Ultimately, the “City of God” is more than God's chosen people founding Jerusalem and building a temple. We still await that final stage of God's city, when, as described by the apostle John, the city of God will come “down from heaven” and God will make that city His dwelling place forever It should be noted that the choosing and setting of these texts is not intended to have any political or ideological connotations regarding the current conflict in the Middle East. We grieve the violence and loss of life on both sides of the conflict and pray that Gods Kingdom would come and that His will would be done quickly - on earth as it is in heaven! Text: I. Sojourn We sojourn looking for a city. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one which is to come. We sojourn in the land of promise as in a strange country. Living in tents like Isaac and Jacob, looking for a city which has foundations. Whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:9-10). We wondered alone in the wilderness finding no place for a city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty our souls fainted within us. (Psalm 107:4-5) II. Planting You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, The place which you have made for your abode, The sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. (Exodus 15:17) III. The Gates of Zion On the h... Full description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzgVw8vObtk