Praise in the Storm

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desire of your heart. Psalm 37:4

One of my blogger friends builds each day's blog entry around the lyrics of a song. I like that idea, although I don't know the lyrics of very many songs.

My days are filled with distraction, and it is only on a few nights, about once a month, when I get out in the car by myself, that the distractions are silenced for a few brief moments. I have grown to love the drive home at the end of girls' night as much as hanging with the girls, because I get to listen.

I get to listen to the radio. I get to listen to my thoughts. I get to listen to God. And those moments of listening sometimes turn out to be the most profound moments of my spiritual life.

Tonight as I tuned in to the radio it was as if someone were picking up a wave from my subconscious mind:

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.

Boy, that sums it up pretty well I think. Seems like I can no longer even remember what it is to even feel in control of my own life.

But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

But this is what it comes back to. God reassures me that he is with me, but I need to remember that it is He who retains control over my situation. He gives every good thing, and he also reserves the right to take it away at His discretion.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I have been thinking my place is to accept whatever is handed to me. I have prayed to become content, and to be at peace with my situation. But tonight I had a realization that it goes beyond that. I am called to praise God, regardless of my situation.

And He cares for me so tenderly, how can I not do so? He cries every tear with me, just like I cry when my kids go through rough times. But He knows the result He is working to achieve in me, and it is worth my temporary discomfort.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I have started over so many times in my life. My faith journey includes lots of stumbles and lots of reaching out for hands to pull me through the hard times. Now I am experiencing another new start, and I revel in the knowledge that God is indeed with me.

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I want to take back control of my situation, and I will definitely be grateful when we can put the sale of our SLC house behind us and move into our own place. But even then, I can never forget: my help comes from the Lord.

It is time to do more than just endure, more than be patient and content with my situation. It is time to praise God in this storm.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.


Lyrics taken from:
Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
Performed by Casting Crowns