Month: September 2011

O Father! Where are You in times of trial and trouble? When nothing seems to make sense? When fear grips my mind in a desperate attempt to render my heart? When dread overwhelms my hope in the future? When love fades and pride focuses? When my strength dissipates and my body moans for nourishment? When I am abandoned and left in painful agony?

O God! Sin has brought me to ruin. It has created a chasm of suffering and despair. Where joy and peace are lost in a brothel of selfishness. It strangles my life with lies and gossip. It obscures my vision from the narrow path. It brings death to my face.

O Lord! You have never left me. Amidst the storms of worldly distraction, and the chaos of sin from my flesh, and the slings and arrows of temptation, You have promise me; that when I am still and deeply search my heart, there in the quiet of my soul, I will find You. Your unfailing love. Your living water. Your healing touch. Your voice comforts me and Your Word leads in the way everlasting.

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” (Psalm 23)

He leads me…for His Name’s sake! He leads me! For His Name’s sake! Who’s leading, guiding, directing? Why is He doing this? What is His purpose for leading me in paths of righteousness? Worship leaders! Don’t think too much of yourself! Rebuke your pride! Repent of your selfishness! God is not surprised! God is not impressed by our feeble efforts to compose or perform music to His glory. He created us. He knows us. From the hairs on our head to the number of days in our lives, He knows everything about us — no surprises. We were created below the angels of heaven who eternally sing in His presence. Their physical beauty is beyond our comprehension and description. Let alone their music and ability to perform music. He will not miss or be upset with a humanity without Bach, Mozart or Beethoven. He will not lament over a generation without the Beatles, Rolling Stones, or even Chris Tomlin. He is God! He can not be contained, described, or belittled by our enormous, incredible, fantastic attempts to magnified Him. Only He can give Himself the praise He is due! He alone is God, there is no other like Him. He is a jealous God. He is most glorified in Himself.