On this day in 1854, John Philip Sousa was born in Washington DC. Sousa was the third of ten children. Both of his parents were immigrants. Sousa’s father had a passion for music which he instilled in his son. John started to study the violin at a young age and enrolled in music theory classes taught by some of the most talented musicians in the D.C. area. He loved music and excelled at it. He even attempted to create his own orchestra when he was 11. Despite his talents, he still wanted to try other pathways. At one time he aspired to be a baker and at the age of 13, he wanted to run away with the circus. His father noticed how unsettled young John’s heart was so he signed him up as an apprentice to the Marine Corps Band. John’s father was a trombonist in the band and the Marine Corps tent was only a short distance from their home. He served the band for seven years. After leaving the band he became a violinist and eventually a conductor, but nothing could replace the burning that he had for marching music. He returned to the Marine Corps band in 1880 as their conductor and would remain in that role until 1892. It was during this time that he wrote the Marine Corps Marching band song called “Semper Fidelis” which is still the Marine Corps song. He led this particular song for the inauguration of five presidents. He revolutionized the Marine Corps Band. He expected nothing short of excellence. The band started touring and recording music. After leaving the band he became a band leader in the civilian world. He did this until he died in 1932. He conducted nearly 16,000 concerts in his lifetime. As a matter of fact, he was conducting a practice for “Stars and Stripes Forever” the day before he died.
Sousa will forever be remembered as the “March King.” His marches, especially his patriotic ones are still played today (typically on the fourth of July during fireworks). His baton is still passed down to each new conductor of the Marine Corps Band. The Bible mentions a march, but one without music. Joshua, the newly appointed leader of Israel had a daunting task set before him, Jericho. Those walls had to look intimidating. This was a large city with a mighty army. The task was considered impossible. One might assume that they would lay a siege against the city. To literally starve the people out. But God had a different plan for the Israelites. In Joshua 6:2 God told Joshua “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of ram’s horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout, then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua even told the people, “do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout…” Joshua and the army obeyed. They marched around the city for six days, and finally, on the seventh day the city walls fell down and the army marched right inside. The walls of Jericho should have been completely impenetrable. The task should have been impossible. The mission seemed silly, but Joshua and the Israelites obeyed by faith. As believers, there are times when Jericho’s walls are still in front of us. Maybe God is asking you to do something hard, impossible, or maybe something out of your comfort zone. He isn’t asking you to attack the wall, to dig under the wall, to flee from the impossible, He is asking you to simply obey Him. He is asking you to trust Him. What Jericho is in front of you right now? What seems impossible? Your marriage? Your calling? Your purpose? Jesus said, “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” March on the impossible. March in obedience. March in faith.
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