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Answers to prayer.
Sometimes they come sneaking in and blow us away and are exactly what we hoped for, unexpectedly. And it’s amazing. Still, there’s a lingering, comforting sense of sameness because the God I worshiped yesterday, when my stomach was in knots and I was feeling hopeless, is the same God of today, when my spirits are soaring. The God who answered today is the same God who held my heart so tenderly during those months and years of heartbreak. Yesterday He was good and sure and constant, just like He is today.
My worship didn’t change. My worship didn’t suddenly restart because now He’s answered my cry. No, it’s the same anthem–sung on repeat in my heart. True, there’s a richer, deeper level of gratitude, but my confidence and hope are still the same.
Worship is speaking truth.
Worship is living through the heartache and joy.
Worship is singing and doing laundry.
Worship is kisses and hugs for scraped knees.
Worship is listening to that certain song through tears.
Worship is trusting in new mercies for tomorrow morning.
We don’t worship because of what we are praying He will do. We worship simply because He will do what He will do. (He Stands Alone.) He will do it at the proper time, and it will be good and right and always exactly His plan. Therefore, no matter what that plan may be: we worship.
In painful times, cling to songs of encouragement that proclaim truth and give you solid ground. Then, in rejoicing, it is beautiful to return to the anthems you sang in sorrow. Sing them again and just marvel. Sing them again and let your heart respond with gratitude and praise.
I played this song: He Will by Ellie Holcomb quite often over the last year, and this week I’m singing with thankfulness and rejoicing while worshiping to it all over again.
Whether I’m in want or plenty
Whether I’m in health or ill
Our God promises His children
He will, He will
Does He promise to answer our prayers exactly as we desire, in our timing? Does He promise to give us our heart’s desire? Does He promise to come through according to our hopes? No. His promises are surer and deeper–everlasting promises.
He’ll bind up the brokenhearted
Does He promise to answer our prayers exactly as we desire, in our timing? Does He promise to give us our heart’s desire? Does He promise to come through according to our hopes? No. His promises are surer and deeper–everlasting promises.
He’ll bind up the brokenhearted
Oh He will, oh He will
He’ll set captives free from darkness
Oh He will, oh He will
He’ll breathe hope into the hopeless
Help a restless soul be still
Oh He will, He will
We will praise Him through our sadness
Till the promise is fulfilled
Oh He will, He will
Yes! Amen! Jesus surely will.
Sometimes we need to tell our souls to worship in sorrow so that the anthem is ready to continue in times of answered prayer. A soul secure in Jesus will worship no matter the season.
Let the anthem resound!
Let the anthem resound!
