Commentary: Lessons from the country hit 'Delta Dawn'

Adam Dooley

Much of the world laughs and ridicules the notion of a new heaven and earth from which the Messiah will reign after His physical return.”

Country music fans are likely familiar with the 1972 hit single, Delta Dawn, first recorded by Bette Midler but popularized by Tanya Tucker’s rendition at the age of thirteen. The song is about a woman from Brownsville, Tennessee who is so beautiful in her youth that she is given the name Delta Dawn.

Unfortunately, she falls for the wrong man who promises to make her his bride. Though he deserts her, he assures the young girl that one day he will return. As time passes, it becomes obvious to everyone in the little town that she was deceived. Sadly, Delta Dawn grows older and more cynical as each day passes, waiting for a bridegroom who is never going to come. The song’s first verse explains:

She’s forty-one and Daddy still calls her Baby!  All the folks ‘round Brownsville say she’s crazy, ‘Cause she walks downtown with her suitcase in hand, Looking for a mysterious dark-hard man.

Can you imagine the sad scene of a bride who throws her life away walking the streets, waiting for the husband who is never returning? The chorus evokes intentional images of pity and concern,

Delta Dawn what’s that flower you have on?  Could be a faded rose from days gone by?  And did I hear you say he was a-meetin you here today, To take you to his mansion in the sky?         

Can you imagine having someone so foolish within your community? And yet, just as quickly as having these thoughts, I realize that many consider the church of the Lord Jesus to be just as duped and misguided. You Christians are so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good! Do you really believe the church is the bride of Christ? You think God is preparing a mansion in the sky for you? Are you really scanning the skies and watching the clouds, expecting Jesus to return?           

Much of the world laughs and ridicules the notion of a new heaven and earth from which the Messiah will reign after His physical return. Ironically, though, the scorn of unbelievers powerfully demonstrates the truthfulness and veracity of Scripture, which predicts the mockery (2 Peter. 3:3-4). So, allow me to ask the hidden questions that plague all believers at some point. Are we crazy? Are we throwing our lives away? Should we be looking for the return of the Lord? Should we just stop living and wait?             

To answer these questions, we should first acknowledge the reality of the Second Coming. Thankfully, the Bible has much to say about the physical return of our Lord. Within the 260 chapters that make up the New Testament, there are 318 references to the physical coming again of Jesus. Omitting these mentions would eliminate one out of every thirty verses from God’s Word. For every single prophecy about the birth of Jesus, there are eight predictions about his future return to earth. Apart from the resurrection Christianity has no foundation; without the Second Coming it has no future.  

Next, we would be wise to celebrate the reassurance of the Second Coming. The Apostle Paul pleaded with believers to be informed about the return of Christ lest they grieve over death as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13). Because the future resurrection of believers is inextricably linked to the previous resurrection of our Savior (1 Cor. 15:12), those who die in faith rest in the presence of God until His return (2 Cor. 5:8).

These same Christians will then accompany Jesus back to this earth where their souls will be clothed with new, resurrected bodies (1 Thess. 4:14-16). Lest we conclude these lessons are meant to scratch our prophetic curiosities, the concluding implication is that we should comfort one another with these words (1 Thess. 4:18).  We will see our loved ones again and we can look forward to eternal life in heaven.           

In light of these certainties, all that is left is for us to calculate our response to the Second Coming. The Apostle John admonished, “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).” In other words, possessing a hope for the future compels us to seek holiness in the present. If we really believe Christ is coming it will dramatically change the way we live.             

We won’t harbor bitterness in our hearts (Heb. 12:15). We won’t store up treasures on the earth (Matt. 6:19). We won’t pretend that secret sins don’t matter (Luke 12:2). We won’t put off until tomorrow what we should prioritize today (James 4:15-17). Instead, we will pursue and love the Lord with our whole hearts (Matt. 22:37). We will seek to let our light shine so that others glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). We will forgive others just as God has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32). And we will submit to God’s Word, knowing it is profitable for our souls (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

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