Soon to hold my precious newborn grandson with anticipation and great joy, I give abounding, bubbling, and tripping over thanks to God.
Do you also think of the familiar Bill Gaither hymn when reading the title phrase?
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Not only, this new-born child, but all ages that hold this precious gem . . . Yes, “this child” can face uncertain days, because the LORD Lives.
There has been much toil leading to this moment in time for us, yet, one thing stands secure,
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe Proverbs 18:10.
No matter what! (And no-one could have told me all the whats that would happen in our Michael Rypkema family life up to now), and also in yours, I’m sure,
but can you, and will you join me, to proclaim this constant:
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth Psalm 121:2.
And for all of us who believe this with every ounce of our being, no matter what, we proclaim to choose, to the best of our abilities, with the help of the Lord, to:
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal Psalm 26:4.
You and I, we witness much loss in our own lives, and those around us.
Great battles rage.
Storms, sickness, and loss as a result of living in this fallen world often leave our hearts broken and bleeding.
But we remind each other, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
These are God’s Words, not our own. God is close to the broken-hearted. When the Bible is opened Psalm 34:18 comforts with truth.
The hymns, the Psalms, God’s Word . . . our joy and rejoicing. Our comfort in pain. Our compass in darkness.
Our life.
Our steady song.
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
A new-born child. It’s time to celebrate.
Actually, at all times, we can celebrate the Lord.
And each new day we can celebrate new birth as we surrender and put our trust in God.
We rejoice in the Lord for the wondrous good in life. And we also choose to praise Him through the trials.
A heart willing to praise increases faith in our day to day. To God be the glory for His goodness at all times.
Today . . . Join me in speaking aloud:
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever Psalm 145:21.
This is our hope, that all flesh will bless His holy name, now and forever, with hearts tuned to praise Him, always.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Let all the children say, “Amen.”