The Piano Tuner

My piano was tuned this morning.
The same woman has been coming to my home for years.
I am always amazed at her ability to hear the tiniest nuance of sound.
The piano that I thought was just fine was really quite flat.

She works with skill and precision.
She removes the top of the grand piano and begins.
She opens her box and selects the instruments she will use.
She laboriously adjusts each key with her tuning hammer.

She adjusts the tension of the strings that are wrapped around the tuning pins.
She aligns the intervals between their tones.
She makes sure the piano is in tune, which is not a relative term.
The vibration interaction among the notes is different for every piano.

Pianos are tuned to a system called equal temperament.
Every pitch is derived from its relationship to a chosen fixed pitch.
That fixed pitch is the A above middle C.
It is a standard upon which the other notes are set.

There are many reasons a piano will go out of tune.
Humidity will affect the pitch of a piano.
High humidity causes the pitch to go sharp since the soundboard will swell.
Low humidity causes the piano to go flat.

Change in temperature will affect the piano.
Frequent playing and a harder touch on the keys can affect the tuning.
The age of the piano also plays a part; newer pianos need to be tuned more frequently.
In order to have the best possible sound, piano tuning cannot be neglected.

My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of wailing. (Job 30:31)

In the midst of his great suffering, Job’s harp was tuned to mourning.
It seemed to be stuck there.
No tool could have adjusted his thinking.
He needed a reason for his suffering.

God did not give Job a reason.
God did not answer Job’s questions directly.
The only answer God gave to Job was Himself.
God is the fixed pitch that Job needed in order to tune his life correctly.

The fixed pitch.
The standard.
The immovable point of focus.
The A above middle C.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2,3)

The priests in the temple never sat down.
Their work was never finished.
Not until Jesus, the great High Priest, died and rose again was the work completed.
Now finished, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My piano tuner never sits down.
She stands at the piano and tunes it meticulously.
She works, she listens, and she adjusts.
When she leaves, the piano sounds beautiful.

She will finally sit down when she is all finished tuning.
She sits on the large bench and plays music to test the sound of the piano.
She plays beautiful music that is in tune.
Not flat, not sharp, but perfectly tuned to a fixed pitch.

That is what we all need.
We need the perspective of Job after his tuning was adjusted.

If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay a hand on us both, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that His terror would frighten me no more. (Job 9:33,34)

Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. (Job 16:19-21)

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)

Job saw a clear picture of Jesus through his suffering
Arbitrator.
Advocate.
Redeemer.

Jesus the fixed pitch.
Jesus the One on whom Job fixed his eyes.
Jesus the immovable standard upon which everything else is set.
Jesus the Master Tuner.

Job could finally tune his harp to rejoicing.
Job could finally tune his flute to laughter.
Job could finally tune his life to Jesus’ standard.
The melody is captivating.