Tag: fear

Our Hope In God Will Not Be Shaken. Be Still My Soul.

The Word of God. Hymns. Music Therapy. God’s help and comfort for us right NOW.

In a shattered world, where do we find real, living, powerful, present comfort? The Bible tells us in Psalm 119, our comfort comes from the Word of life.

When we have no words to pray, Psalm 119 provides the prayers:

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
 Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
My soul breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
You rebuke the proud—the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.
Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
 Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors Psalm 119:17-24.

Yes, God is not silent. He speaks. His Word shows us the way.

Do we desire to be children of light in a dark place? What do we do?

Ephesians 5: 18-20 gives us instruction:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now is time to speak aloud truth. The Bible says, “Thy Word is truth,” John 17:17. We either believe this or not. God gives us choice. He sees each man’s heart, even if mankind thinks he’s his own person not needing Jesus.

He, (Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God John 1:11-13.

Who is born of God? Those who believe in His name. What can we proclaim as true about Him regarding our lives today? Speak aloud Be Still My Soul by Kathrina von Schlegel:

Be Still my Soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide,

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul, thy best and heavenly friend, Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end . . . Be Still My Soul

Be still, my soul! for God will undertake
to guide the future surely as the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
the voice  who ruled them while He dwelt below. 

Maybe our hope and our confidence is shaken a bit, but we will not be greatly shaken. We will choose this minute, and move about by the power of the Spirit of God to know Him more and be still. 

Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.)

Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.

Are we on God’s side? 

He’s on our side. 

He will guide the future.

 Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then shall you better know his love, his heart,
who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.

Do we have His love? His hope?

 God’s heart beats with constant love for us. He doesn’t change. His ways are unsearchable. Do we believe in Jesus?

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.


Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a.

 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ -2 Thessalonians 3:5.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with . . .  singing.
—Zephaniah 3:17

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
—2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Our hope is our faith in a true and living God. 

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them – 1 John 4:16. 

You, me, we can trust Him always.

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
—Romans 8:18.

Music Therapy of the Hymn Be Still My Soul and Psalm 18 is provided to meditate on God’s Promises. He alone is true to His Word: 

You O LORD, keep my lamp burning. My God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop, and with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, His way is perfect. The word of the Lord is flawless and He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God beside the Lord? And who is a Rock except our God? Psalm 18: 28, 29, 30, 31.

The Lord Still Rules From Heaven / Psalm 11

Who loves justice?

For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face Psalm 11:7.

Psalm 11 is a powerful Word for today.

When “the foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

Seven verses of promise found in Psalm 11 prove to be a present help for those who trust in the Lord when the arrows of the enemy are set against us.

We need grace and help in our time of need. Where are the words for our prayer?

Psalm 11:

I trust in the Lord for protection.

So why do you say to me,“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!

The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.

The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.

He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,punishing them with scorching winds.

For the righteous Lord loves justice.The virtuous will see his face. Psalm 11: 1-7.

We’re to speak to one another in Psalms and hymns. What would an appropriate hymn be? A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther. Let’s challenge ourselves to speak these words aloud to be as a vitamin for increased faith this day:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He.
Lord Sabboth, his name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers
Not thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill,
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever…

Put on Praise
The Word and the Hymnal empower us to have melody.

A walk with a hymn brings out a deep prayer within . . .

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh abide with me. Henry F. Lyte 1847.

Spoken aloud, as on an evening walk, though sitting in one place, with the Creator of the Universe, there comes a release of tension and a new focus of heart.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see— O Thou who chagest not, abide with me.

Loved ones in hospitals left alone, parents in nursing homes without family visits. Children unable to unite with friends. Teachers give virtual lessons in separated spaces. Ministers labor to unite hearts to hope. Grief and loss are endured in separation. Energy turns to weariness quickly, . . . Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who chagest not, abide with me.

We raise our hearts to be rescued and lifted. We cry aloud with amplified meaning,

“Abide with us . . . Remain with me. Lodge by my side. Dwell right here. Continue to stay, endure by my side, stay in my sight, encamp around me!”

We cry out these age-old words,

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

And when we’re still, completely surrendered, as a seed in the ground who breaks down and dies, . . .

life unseen develops within, a calm, a comfort, . . . beyond understanding. And ears open and hearts receive, as a mist of the morning, God’s refreshing news:

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint Isaiah 40:28-31.

Transformation happens. Nothing changes, save the heart and mind.  

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, . . . Hebrews 4:12.

This hymn is our prayer:

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

We pray for the lonely, the elderly, the sick, our communities, our families, let’s pray for ourselves.

He. Is. The Vine.

Let’s open ourselves to His love and ask Him to abide. Grace sufficient is found in Him. Water, light, bread, the Way. Let’s pray these old words and receive the victory found at the cross. His pardon, His cleansing, His filling, His grace.

There is no fear in love. We can boldly proclaim, in Jesus name:

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Henry F. Lyte, 1847.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand Isaiah 41:10.

Transformed. Renewed. All the while, Change and decay in all around I see—

we will pray,

O Thou who chagest not, abide with me.

The win in a hymn, defeat to fear: Praise God Forever

“Tune up my heart strings, Lord.” She prays, as her heart beats in a flat, minor chord.
“All things are possible with You by my side,” she believes.

“Help my unbelief,” she asks ready to defeat the perfectionist, the giant enemy of thought.

“Change me. C-H-A-N-G-E me!” She pleads with the One who is able.

In stillness, a gentle voice reminds:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9.

Faith has new breath, and a word of direction: “Sing a new song. Praise God as the victory is won. Sing praise!”

A hymn comes to mind.
The hymn tunes the heart’s theme for hope.

With a prayer for mercy and power of God.

Read aloud. Yes, sing aloud:

Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above

I’ll praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love”

Change happens in a moments time. God’s Word comes to mind:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;” Psalm 121,

Lifted. Transformed, through the speaking of a psalm.

What comes next? Her heart needs to know, she reads aloud:

 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

This is how the hymn is sung. By the help of the Living Word giving persevering strength to the weary saint.

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come

And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wondering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

She receives the Spirit’s Comfort and Hope and thankfulness pours forth:

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Victory is won in her heart this moment. A new song is sung. Prayers have been answered and change for good themes continues on . . .

Will we choose to read aloud and sing? “Yes, because ‘new’ is a glorious thing.”

New heart strings, and ultimately, a new me.

Will you also agree?

Come Thou Fount, hymn by Robert Robinson

Because of His new mercies, my meditation is a song.

A Psalm of David, so long ago, was penned and written for the Chief Musician.

Psalm 139, I pray will stay close to my heart as I take hold of His hand.

Before my feet hit the floor, may I meditate on who He is, and by His help better understand.

My walk is as a messy poem, but God in His great mercy never leaves me alone:

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.
 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

If these words be true, (You have pronounced Your Word as truth), help me today to believe.
Help me remember . . .You.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17 states.
So, in knowing and seeing it all, You can see clearly, I often make many mistakes.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. John15:3.
I don’t completely understand, but I receive a washing in the morning as  I read.
Let this Word be a continual song I sing:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Yesterday’s pain, struggle, and loss feel like heaviness falling on me, but if even the night shall be light about me; . . . and the night shines as the day;

I receive Your Word that I don’t completely know, but when I look at a candle, only light surrounds it, so . . .

I can see that You are with me, and light even my night.

You are greater than all of my anxiety, ugliness, and fright. Your Word, the powerful sounds, are healing the doubt that so often surrounds.

 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Deep calls to deep. These thoughts are not as man’s. These Words pierce me through. My days you write in a book? Truly from beginning to end? I clearly see, I want more faith, more faith each day to trust You!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!
 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Clearly, a lifetime it will take to comprehend such thoughts. Give me wisdom and knowledge. Help me understand the price You paid on the cross.

A Love so real. You laid down Your life for me. Even though You knew how wretched many of my steps would be.

I want to be on Your side, dear Lord.

Please keep me from being an enemy. With doubt, and unbelief. Making excuses to sin.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119.

Get my eyes in Your Word, more and more, dear Lord.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

This is a hard prayer to pray in the morning, and even more so, at night.

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for covering my sin with Your blood. I thank You for showing me You walk with me and know, every step that I take, and every word I speak, and even the thoughts that I think. And You still love . . .

You knew me in the beginning and promise to know my end days as well. Today, let me be new, tear down, rebuild, clean up and move.

Help me walk more closely. Help me let You lead. Let this be my song that I continually sing,
making the choice each day, to acknowledge You,  King:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

In Jesus Name, I, and all who believe ask, “Let it be, yes, let it be. Amen.”

What are we listening to? Fear? or God’s Voice? Let’s STOP and hear:

“Trust Me now.” I hear a still small voice speak. “Trust.” When the waves are huge, and blinded eyes can’t see.

“Trust Me.

Put on faith’s glasses, take off  fear’s clouded goggles, and . . .
B-R-E-A-T-H.

Don’t panic.

Remember, I walk on the turbulent seas.”

Don’t caress thoughts that are sharp and dark. Don’t linger in pits of past regrets—STOP.

Speak instead, faith thoughts.

Let—suffer, allow, the Holy Spirit to sing in your heart.

So I open the Hymn book at the Spirit’s prompt.  It opens, Doxology, page 1:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

And I think right away,

“Oh God, how can You patiently watch my faith so quickly, fly away?

With an envelope from the mail. With a headache in the morning. With the world’s events spinning. Each and everyday, dear Lord, You watch my faith take flight. As if it’s always night, and never day.

Oh God,  . . .

lead me to P-R-A-I-S-E.”

So I turn in the hymnal to Page 2. If only I could always remember this hymn proves time and again to be a “faint heart’s” rescue.

Fanny Crosby, though blind, could see. Spiritually, her words help my weary heart sing:

All the way my Sav-ior leads me; What have I to ask be-side? Can I doubt His ten-der mer-cy. Who thro’ life has been my guide?

Heav’n-ly peace,

di-vin-est com-fort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell For I know what-e’er be-fall me,

Je-sus do-eth all things well;

All the way my Savior leads me;

Cheers each winding path I tread.

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living bread:

Tho’ my weary steps may falter, And my soul a thirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see;

Thank you Fanny for your pen and song. My eyes are lifted from the earth to the Son.

All the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above . . .

Will you join me in entering God’s rest? Can we seek accountability to trust.
We can rise above earthly trials. Trusting that our Savior leads the way.

And while we wait, we praise our Savior. And He fills our hearts and minds with His peace.

Lord, Give us a Fragrance of Light and Peace

What is our fragrance as we go about our day?

Do we smell of fear and let doubt lead the way?
Like a skunk that’s afraid, pray we are not near.

Or as a pig slopping in a muddy mess, doing only as he pleases, “Dear Lord, save us from the stench of selfishness. May displeasing You, be our greatest dread and fear.”

“Dear Lord, give those who claim to know Your name, a cleansing stream, an emptying. That newness of life and acceptance with joy, peace like a river would splash on us a fragrance of Light.”

Today, a meditation on words penned almost a hundred years ago; Ina D. Ogden, “Speak your exhortation to ears ‘poor in spirit'”:

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

What kind of fragrance do we bring in the room? Is it a critical spirit. Thinking we know what’s right? “Dear Lord, reveal to us our failure and sin, that we might ask forgiveness and let Your light shine in us again.”

Perhaps the brokenness and deep hurts will prove to be, a place where we might have a gentle spirit and compassion. Perhaps God will help us have a tender spirit, gracious, gentle, a-c-c-e-p-t-i-n-g.

When pain comes, and darkness, we are tested and tried. Are we going to believe the Good Word only, when things go right?

Oh, to believe that “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does,” Psalm 145:17.

Oh, how we are tested during times of loss, to believe:

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation, Psalm 118:14.

This is the phrase I must sing. Let us today, wake up in faith, knowing, that God is with us. Let’s forget about ourselves and allow His light to beam:

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

A fragrance of light. A fragrance of peace. The Lord Jesus will take our burdens so today, we are free to sing:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Let us go now, in increased faith, to love and consider others and be a fragrance worth . . . remembering.

In time of need: Hymn-Therapy

I had salvation, believing what Jesus did for me on the cross, but, at a time of sickness and dread, I opened a hymnal on the shelf.
“Be Still my Soul,” He spoke to me that day, “the Lord is on thy side.“(1)
His arm reach out in love and His hand took hold of mine. My Savior met me in the cold, dark hour and ministered life to me through a hymn.
“He is on my side.” My heart was revived.
The words ministered to me, the truth of His love and faithfulness, when all my mind kept rehearsing before, “Won’t He give me a break?”
I came to know the Lord with contemporary choruses of praise. Though God allowed great brokenness and loss within my life, He faithfully ministered greater light and life, and His presence in my time of need. I would never exchange a moment of it, not for anything.
This hymnal proved to be a treasure chest of hope, life, and promise. The Spirit moved me with increased faith as my mind thought on His  Almighty power.
Today, I write, in the face of a battle, with enemies of Overwhelmed and Fear, and Discouragement lurking. I find a Charles Wesley hymn written around the armor of God in Ephesians 6, published in 1749.
God’s therapy, or counseling session for me, is that my mind think on words like these:
Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son.
Strong in the Lord of hosts,
And in His mighty pow’r,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror.
“Strong in the strength which God supplies,” because He can clearly see, I am not strong, in and of myself, I am tired and weak. God counsels with direction that I must meet:
Stand then in His great might,
With all His strength endued,
And take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God;
That, having all things done,
And all your conflicts passed,
Ye may o’ercome through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.
I will admit, the word panoply was not in my vocabulary, so I looked it up. The dictionary spelled it out in this way:

pan·o·ply
noun
1. a complete or impressive collection of things.
2. a splendid display.
3. a complete set of arms or suit of armor.
“Stand then in His great might,” yes, I must take hold and clothe myself with all that’s true, and the collection of “armor” God has equipped us with.
We don’t “wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6, KJV, speaks solid and clear of who our real enemy is. We must fight and remember Who it is that is with us handing us all we need to win:
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (2)
The hymn inspires and exhorts. Actively reaching out a Hand to pick me up:
Leave no unguarded place,

No weakness of the soul,
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole.
From strength to strength go on,
Wrestle and fight and pray,
Tread all the pow’rs of darkness down
And win the well-fought day.
Yes, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (3) This is it! This is my therapy session with a hymn. This is direction, hope and how I will keep a sound mind.
I will speak this hymn and clothe myself with the armor of God that the faith God increases in me can pass any test. How about you? Has this hymn touched you?
Let us praise God before the “Red Sea is parted.” Let us praise God ever-more. To God be the glory, Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son.
Strong in the Lord of hosts,
And in His mighty pow’r,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror. 
(1) Katharina A. von Schlegel, 1752
(2) Ephesians 6:14-17, NIV.
(3) Ephesians 6:18.
 

Sometimes an old speech for the nation needs to be heard again:

This man was flown in to speak words to a nation of broken and bleeding hearts, Sept 14, 2001. In light of terror in a Florida High School, Feb. 14, 2018, and many other tragedies since that event in 2001—in honor of Billy Graham, in remembrance of his simple, yet courageous messages, I pray his words bring comfort and hope.
I am comforted, and am thankful for they words of the hymn he encouraged us with: Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

After our nation was attacked with horrific terror, with many innocent lives lost, the choice was made to have Rev. Billy Graham speak on Sept. 14, 2001.
Allowance was made that a sole aircraft fly that day.

Today, I look back at the words Billy Graham had to say, in that, still today, hearts continue to be shattered with news of terror and loss. How do we continue? How do we find a way?

Billy Graham stood before the nation,
“We come together today to affirm our conviction that God cares for us, whatever our ethnic, religious or political background may be. The Bible says that He is ‘the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.’
No matter how hard we try, words cannot express the horror, the shock and the revulsion we all feel over what took place in this nation on Tuesday  morning . . .
But today we come together in this service to confess our need of God. We’ve always needed God from the very beginning of this nation. But today we need Him especially. We’re involved in a new kind of warfare. And we need the help of the Spirit of God.

The Bible says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and mountains fall into the heart of the sea.’
But how do we understand something like this? Why does God allow evil like this to take place? Perhaps that is what you are asking. You may even be angry at God. I want to assure you that God understands these feelings that you may have.

We’ve seen so much that brings tears to our eyes and makes us feel a sense of anger. But God can be trusted, even when life seems at its darkest.
What are the lessons we can learn?
First, we are reminded of the mystery and reality of evil. I have been asked hundreds of times why God allows tragedy and suffering. I have to confess that I do not know the answer.  I have to accept, by faith, that God is sovereign, and that He is a God of love and mercy and compassion in the midst of suffering.
The Bible says God is not the Author of evil. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7 the Bible talks about the mystery of iniquity. the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah said, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.’

The lesson of this even is not only about the mystery of iniquity and evil, but second, it’s about our need for each other.
What an example New York and Washington have been to the world these past few days! None of us will forget the pictures of our courageous firefighters and police, or the hundreds of people standing patiently in line to donate blood . . .
Finally, difficult as it may be for us to see right now, this event can give a message of hope—hope for the present and hope for the future.
Yes, there is hope. There is hope for the present because the stage, I believe, has already been set for a new spirit in our nation.

We desperately need a spiritual renewal in this country, and God has told us in His Word, time and time that we need to repent of our sins and return to Him, and He will bless us in a new way.
There also is hope for the future because of God’s promises. As a Christian, I have hope, not just for this life, but for heaven and the life to come. And many of those people who died this past week are in heaven now. And they wouldn’t want to come back. It’s so glorious and so wonderful. That is the hope for all of us who put our faith in God. I pray that you will have this hope in your heart.

This event reminds us of the brevity and uncertainty of life. We never know when we too will be called into eternity. I doubt if those people who got on those planes or who walked into the world Trace Center or the Pentagon on Tuesday thought that it would be the last day of their lives. And that’s why we each must face our own spiritual need and commit ourselves to God and His will.

Here in this majestic National Cathedral we see all around us the symbol of the cross. For the Christian, the cross tells us that God understands our sin and our suffering, for He took them upon Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. From the cross God declares, ‘I love you. I know the heartaches and the sorrows and the pain that you feel. But I love you.’

The story does not end with the cross, for Easter points us beyond the tragedy of the cross to the empty tomb. It tells us that there is hope for eternal life, for Christ conquered evil and death and hell. Yes, there is hope.
I’ve become an old man now, and I’ve preached all over the world. And the older I get, the more I cling to that hope that I started with many years ago.
Several years ago at the National Prayer Breakfast here in Washington, Ambassador Andrew Young closed his talk with a quotation from the old hymn, ‘How Firm a Foundation.’

This week we watched in horror as planes crashed into the steel and glass and the World Trade Center. Those majestic towers, built on solid foundations, were examples of prosperity and creativity. When damaged, those building plummeted to the ground, imploding in upon themselves. Yet, underneath the debris, is a foundation that was not destroyed. Therein lies the truth of that hymn, ‘How Firm a Foundation.’

Yes, our nation has been attacked, buildings destroyed, lives lost. But now we have a choice: whether to implode and disintegrate emotionally and spiritually as a people and a nation; or to choose to become stronger through all of this struggle, to rebuild a solid foundation.

And I believe that we are starting to rebuild on that foundation. That foundation is our trust in God. And in that faith, we have the strength to endure something as difficult and horrendous as what we have experienced this week. This has been a terrible week with many tears.

But it also has been a week of great faith. In that hymn, ‘How Firm a Foundation,’ the words say, ‘Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.’

My prayer today is that we will feel the loving arms of God wrapped around us and that as we trust in Him we will know in our hearts that He will never forsake us.
We know also that God will give wisdom and courage and strength to the President and those around him. And this will be a day that we will remember as a day of Victory.
May God bless you all.”

(2 Cor. 1:3-4, Ps. 46: 1-2, Jeremiah 17:9)
This man was flown in to speak words to a nation of broken and bleeding hearts, Sept 14, 2001. In light of terror in a Florida High School, Feb. 14, 2018, and many other tragedies since that event in 2001—in honor of Billy Graham, in remembrance of his simple, yet courageous messages, I pray his words bring comfort and hope.
I am comforted, and am thankful for they words of the hymn he encouraged us with: Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
He’s got a hold on us. In Him, we must trust. Amen.

Before God parts the Red Sea, Just Keep Singing of God’s Victory

It was time for a new song. A new attitude. Of Faith and belief.

This happened to be the very beginnings of a New Year.

Those who came to the Sanctuary, for the first mid-week service of the New Year, of praise and pronouncing truth from God’s Word, heard the Pastor ask,

“What do you hear God speaking to you for this coming year?” Then he offered to share the mike.

Everyone was thinking, and some came forward to speak. I heard not audibly, mind you, but impressed upon my heart,

“Sing God’s victory song, before the victory.”
“Before I part the Red Sea, sing praises to My name.”

The starting is easy, it’s the persevering that’s tough. As the old saying goes, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that counts.”

My thoughts often raced at an accelerated pace, filled with new courage, but then Fear came running to trip up the steps. But God is greater, each step of the way, my mind would gird up thoughts: “Guard your heart.

Guard your mind.

Guard your tongue. And then, God’s gentle Spirit would remind,  ‘The battle’s Mine:'”

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

The Word of God directs continually.

By February, only weeks after my “mountaintop moment,” I felt the crashing of waves and fear enveloped me.

The fight to praise was overcome by fretfulness.

God prepares us ahead of time, giving the remedy to stand and succeed.  Do you feel as me? Do you face a giant sea of circumstance? That always shouts out, “There is no chance!”

Then an army comes: Fatigue, Fear, Failure, and chariots of Doubt and Depression at my heart’s door. Their main goal is to defeat and destroy.

What is God’s plan for us? We must keep His plan in view and continue to walk in victory. The Battle is rough and we grow weak. Yes, the Lord watches us be as the disciple’s story in Mark 4:35:

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Can we remember to sing the victory song at such a time as this?

Oh, how sad to look as the disciples in my trials. Forgetting that God is on the boat with me. God’s Word is the remedy that I need.

“Lord Jesus, help me read, and receive, and let Your Word transform me. How I fail and become faint-hearted and forget that You care. I forget that You see. I forget that You are with me. My thoughts become circumstancial only, . . .
instead of praising Your Name, trusting fully.

Mark 4:39, Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
I am thankful that His voice sounds compassionate to my heart. Perhaps today, you and I can make a fresh new start.

Let us hear His voice, Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:10.
Let get back on the horse again. Let us give God praise for being gentle and kind, and though we may stumble, we will not fall, “for the LORD upholds us with his hand.” Psalm 37:24.

Let us lift His Victorious name in the midst of our storm, and watch Him deliver us from all harm. Amen, He is able.
Amen. He loves.

Together we will worship and lift up His Glorious name. “Jesus, we thank You for Your love everlasting.”

In Brokenness, The Lord’s Prayer, a Hymn.

“Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name, . . .” May I come to You with pure motives.

So many times I don’t.

I come for myself. You already know.
May I draw near to seek Your holy face.

But God, our Holy Father, you see when I only seek Your hand of blessing, without a thought to give You praise.

My thoughts aren’t Your thoughts. My ways aren’t like Yours.

May I seek to worship now. Thank You for Your everlasting love. You see my heart, Your know my thoughts, You know . . .

I have failed to stop and remember, of what You’ve already done. You’ve carried the cross up that steep, rugged path. You willingly suffered nails in Your hands.

You loved me first. You love me last. You love beyond the farthest star in the Universe.

I am held in Love’s grasp.

I love You Jesus. I draw near to You. And You draw near because Your name is Faithful and True. Not because of anything about me. You died on the cross.
“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, . . .” in this heart, right now. Cover me with the blood of Your Son.

You rose from the dead.

May I come to know the power of Your resurrection.

“Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us, . . .” from our natural ways.

All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give, 
let me do whatever lies before me as if it were for You Lord.
For You Lord, may my work be my praise. May this hymn be my song, all of my days:

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. 

I surrender all,
  I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
    I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23.

May I praise with all that I do, today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Snapshots of Thankfulness to God through my doubts and confusion

I am thankful. Thankful to God, because He hears our cries for mercy.

But first, I must confess a snapshot of yesterday morning.

One of disappointment, confusion, stress, and unrest.

Yes, ultimately, I wasn’t disappointed about circumstances or people, (but, consciously, I might of thought myself to be), but because I truly believe the Lord is in control and that everything that happens is “filtered through the Father’s fingers,”

I need to be flat out honest here, in all reality, my anger and disappointment was toward God.

I believe in God. But yesterday morning, every ounce of my being was in warfare. I was fighting a battle in my mind, and my heart, I suppose, as I woke to face a challenging day.

Just do the next thing, words I remembered from Elisabeth Elliot came to mind, so I opened God’s Word,  in Psalm 34 in my rough state of being:

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; . . .

I couldn’t find a song. It’s as if it were lost. I felt I was dangling in an ocean’s depths with seaweed around my neck.

In this snapshot of  my moments of confusion and doubt, I felt as if trying to believe His word, but as in a dream, unable to reach the destination.

Trying to find some solid foundation,  but the seaweed of confusion had me sunk below the surface.

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears, . . .” 
More like, ” I fought the LORD, and doubt had silenced my cry.”

I read on in Psalm 34, but I was unable to grasp anything to bring rest and peace to my heart.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him.
 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;

But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

Because of circumstance, I was sinking in unbelief. I later sent texts for prayer.
I called a family member who knows me—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Prayers to our God were given.

The next snapshot of the day, is the struggle to breathe in and out through activity and interaction, minute by minute, hour after hour.  And, all the while, fighting inside to find the air of Peace, and Truth, and Comfort, and Joy.

Just do the next thing . . . this thought, my only motivation.
But, in hectic and schedule, I walked through a door. His hand picked me up. His arms took hold of my weak flesh. He turned my lack into abundance.
God did.
The very One whom I was disappointed in before.

God reached out and touched my sinking heart by hands from . . . the Church. 
The Snapshot: People pooled together in energy ignited by the Lord, (because He did hear my cries. God does hear our voice.)  Out of the ocean’s depths of sorrow, I was picked up in an instant.

Immediately, lifted from heaviness to light was I.

So, this morning I write. “Thank you God for Your faithful love and grace. And Thank you Lord for Your hands touching me through the Church. Dear Lord, help us remember and believe past our unbelief:

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry . . .
 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.

 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all,

I believe You dear Lord, and I thank You for Your Word, and the loving hands of Your Church.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed. 

To Psalm 34, the Lord’s faithfulness, and the Love of the Church, I say this new morning, Amen.”

The Snapshot: Joy.

 

Yes, I make mention of the enemy of mankind. His days are numbered. We must keep that in mind . . .

We believer’s in God are instructed to “pray in Jesus’ name.” And we do to bind the work of the enemy  each and every day.

We pray for God who is greatest to bind this enemy—the deceiver, the lier, the father of lies, the hater, the stealer, the destroyer of mankind.

Lucifer by name, was cast out of heaven. This story is not made up in some fairy-tale book. It’s found in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Chapter 12 in the Revelation’s Book. Ask, seek, and knock as you search . . .
and look.

He was cast out by God and sent to earth. He is on earth twisting words, bringing pain, destroying. In lives, deceptions . . .
he births.

He wants everyone to believe he doesn’t exist. His name can’t even be mentioned. He’s deceived the world that God is to blame for all of this!

But God so loved the word that He sent down His Son. Jesus told us in this world we would have tribulation. Satan is working to deceive the whole world, . . .
but Jesus came.

The very Word.
To lay down His life.
Whoever believes—receives . . . eternal life. He is Lord.

Heaven is the place we will call home.

We are simply passing through.

Created by God in this broken world to do one great thing—and that . . . to proclaim His name.

So, the deceiver, the hater of all of mankind has done his job to make sure the Book is closed. He paints his pictures throughout the earth with pointing fingers, brining guilt, or prideful poses.

But God is not anxious. God does not pace. From the Beginning in Genesis to the End in His Word, God’s Rescue Plan is proclaimed. Yes, Satan will bruise the heal of the Lord, . . .

But God has crushed the serpent’s head, and his numbered days have been told.
Warning, warning! The alarm must no longer be on snooze. ARISE, the Gospel message was sent. We need this Good News.

Everyone on this earth is loved by God. Get your eyes up, and your heart humbled, and soft. Stop pointing fingers. Let your focus be Him.

Read His word. Satan’s days are about to come to an end.

Satan is cast out of heaven. Sent down to earth to deceive. But God . . .

is on the throne.

His arms are opened wide. He gives wisdom, and healing, and power, to all who receive.

Receive. Him. Receive Truth.
Read God’s Word. It is time to stop weeping. It is time to . . . Believe:

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 

She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 

 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 

 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 

 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”

 And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 

 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

 Then war broke out in heaven.

Michael and his angels fought against the dragon,

 and the dragon and his angels fought back. 

 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 

 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,

    and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.

11 They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb

    and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.

 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
    and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!

He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.”

 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 

 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 

 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 

 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 

 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus,” Revelation 12:1-17.

 Where can we find the fall of Satan?

Isaiah 14:12-14. Ezekiel 28:14-18. Luke 10:18. Revelation 12:3-4. Revelation 12:9.

Read. Read God’s Word—that you might have ability to see and understand.

Pray without ceasing at this time, in our dark day.

The Light is coming. Our King is on His way.

O Lord, may our consolation be speaking the hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee

Let us pour out our broken and sad hearts to You. Our lips are parched, we thirst. Be to us as the morning dew:

Near-er, my God, to Thee, Near-er to Thee, E’en though it be a cross That rais-eth me!

Still all my song shall be, Near-er, my God, to Thee; Near-er, my God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

“Speak in Psalms, speak in hymns,” perhaps this is our only consolation in,
pain, and suffering, and agony of spirit. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near,”(1) this is our prayer, that we feel Your love and not the fear.

Though like the wan-der-er, The sun gone down, Dark-ness be o-ver me, My rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be, Near-er, my God, to Thee;

Near-er, my God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

Oh God, help us let our thoughts rise to heaven.

“For we know that if this tent which is our earthly home is destroyed, we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2)

There let the way ap-pear, Steps un-to heav’n; All that Thou send-est me, In mercy giv’n An-gels to beck-on me, Near-er, my God, to The;

Near-er, my God, to Thee, 
Near-er to Thee!

“In everything give thanks,” (3)

O God, we can’t without You showing us, revealing to us, healing and carrying us through.
God, You are love. You are light. We are poor and needy, Lord Jesus come rescue us in our plight.

We worship You because You loved us first. You suffered and died for each one of us as you hung in the cross.

Then, with my wak-ing tho’ts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my ston-y griefs Beth-el I’ll raise, So by my woes to be, Near-er to God, to Thee;

Near-er to God, to Thee,
Near-er to Thee!

Your word is sweet as honey sometimes. Your word is bitter as well. Help change and transform our hearts and our minds. That we might” prove what is the good and acceptable will of God,” (4) that we might say, ” I am Yours.

No matter what, I will trust in Your Love.”

Or if, on joy-ful wing Cleav-ing the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Up-ward I fly, Still all my song shall be, Near-er my God, to Thee, 
Still all my song shall be, Near-er my God, to Thee, Near-er to Thee.

Our song is sad in light of today, but God, only You are able to comfort our pain, with word pictures of life forever with You. . .
With streets of gold, praises to sing,  in the presence of the King of all Kings, for all eternity.

We sing a psalm. We speak a hymn. Or perhaps we simply cry, in hope and the light of Him.

(1) James 4:8
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:1
(3) 1 Thessalonians 5:18
(4) Romans 12:2
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Sarah F. Adams 1840).

A change of perspective after a look at Psalm 50

The media points out destruction and pain with pictures of loss, and sadness. O, how our hearts break.
O, the mysteries.
Could it be that God allows these trials to gather His lonely people together, to pour out His grace.

God’s ways are true and righteous altogether.

How our hearts are touched with each story of rescue. The sacrificial care given, the present provision. How mankind moves to help the hurting, to provide counsel for the broken hearted, to bring water to the thirsty.

Shelters are opened, people open their doors, meals are prepared, work crews move, and so much more . . .

How our hearts are ultimately touched  . . . by God:

Gather together to Me My saints [those who have found grace in My sight], those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.

And the heavens declare His righteousness — rightness and justice; for God, He is judge. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 50:5,6, Amplified.

Perhaps a Psalm, or words of an old hymn strike a chord of calm, and quiet within. Circumstances don’t change. Days are still troublesome and hard. But there has been an exchange.

The fret and anxiety has been given over to Him . . . Have we been seeking Him? His face? His daily word?

The mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 
Our God comes, and does not keep silence; a fire devours before Him, and round about Him a mighty tempest rages. (Psalm 50: 1-3 Amplified). 

The Word of God instructs. The Word speaks. The Word helps our hard hearts and blind eyes to see.
He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may judge His people: Gather together to Me  My saints . . .

Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify to you and agains you; I am God, your God . . . Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and pay your vows to the Most High, And call on Me in the day of trouble . . . (Psalm 50: 7,14).

I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me . . .” (Psalm 50: 15).

And so I train my hands for war, so to speak, and open an old hymn of Fanny Crosby:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior; Hear my humble cry! While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy Find a sweet relief; Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit, Would I seek Thy face, Heal my wound-ed bro-ken spirit Save me by Thy grace. 

Thou, the Spring of all my comfort, More than life to me! Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in heaven but Thee?

Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry! While on others Thou art calling. do not pass me by. (Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior, Fanny J. Crosby)

The Psalms turn around my thinking. The hymns give me cleansing words as I pray with hope to believe.

Let’s praise God in the darkness.

Let us praise God in the storm.

Let’s have thankful hearts that God finds us worthy,

to be a light in the night, as we wait together for morn.

Let us proclaim the Comfort He has brought us.

He has renewed, refreshed. He has made us Re-born.

He has given us rest.