Discouragement.
Pain.
Discomfort.
Questioning.
Loneliness.
Hurt.
Injustice.
These are words I can think of when I think of my mom’s situation.
This is where it can be easy to dwell. This is where Satan wants us to dwell.
Christ came to bring:
Encouragement
Life.
Peace.
Resolution.
Community.
Healing.
Justice.
Hope.
This is where it can be hard to dwell. This is where Jesus wants us to dwell.
There are days when all I can hope for is that Jesus will one day redeem us. When life can feel like a big whirr of nothing, I can reach out in the abyss and find a mighty and outstretched arm to hold on to. No, sometimes His hope cannot be immediately seen in the circumstance. Sometimes blow after blow comes, and we almost forget that we are more than conquerors. But then in the fog of the moment, we hear a voice that reminds us that we can get up, that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. The power of God is greater than any spiritual stronghold that might try to keep us down. He is always here. The following song has been very encouraging to me lately. It is by Matt Redman.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You”
I love the part that says, “I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on and there will be an end to these troubles…” As we hold on to the promises, as He clings to us and we cling to him, there will be an end to all of our troubles. Who should we fear? God is for us. He is with us. Why are we downcast? Why so disturbed in our hearts? We can put our hope in God. We can praise Him, our Savior and our God (Psalm 42:5).
He doesn’t let go. Not ever.
I’ll second your vote for this song of encouragement, Joanna. Early (really early…) on Sunday mornings, I sing with the worship team at the Weaverville Church of the Nazarene, and last Sunday we wrapped up with…Never Let Go. Song is ministry. It’s prayer. It’s how I memorize scripture best…and the part I love best is looking out at a congregation smiling and lifting up holy hands and giving themselves over, totally, to worship. Music is such a powerful tool for focusing our whole selves on God and His Son that in 2 Chronicles chapter 20, King Jehososhaphat faced down an invading army…with singers. He wasn’t crazy–he sent an army, too. But before the battle, a prophet rose up to tell the king,”Hey. It’s not your battle. It’s the Lord’s. Don’t be afraid, just go out and face that army. Stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” The singers went out ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising Him for “the splendor of His Holiness”…and the Lord set ambushes for their enemies. By the time Judah’s army could see the battlefield, the enemy was defeated and they returned home with more treasure than they could carry, singing all the way. When you don’t know how to pray anymore…sing.