His wounds have paid my ransom...

My prayer this morning

Longing for nothing else

We've been hearing about a recession for a long time, and either I've been in denial, or it took a while to filter down to us. As this current financial crisis has begun to effect our family and those near us, the words of Sovereign Grace's album Come Weary Saints has been a balm in an uncertain atmosphere.

As Long as You are Glorified

Shall I take from your hand your blessings,
Yet not welcome anything?
Shall I thank you for days of sunshine
Yet grumble of days of rain
Shall I love you in times of plenty,
Then leave you in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap the harvest?
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?

Oh let your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else

as long as you are glorified.

Are you good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled?
Are you King only when I’m carefree
and God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night.

Oh let your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else
as long as you are glorified

So quiet my restless heart.
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart.
In you……

Oh let your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else
as long as you are glorified.

Praise in the Storm

I thought I had learned my lessons on faith and trust, but evidently, I need more practice.

Robb called on his way home from work today in tears. He's had a rough transition to the corporate world, and it doesn't help that he's learning as he goes with no training...just an insurance manual. He's especially had it hard the last two weeks as both the other guys on his team have been traveling and he's been bored. He misses the freedom of his own company. And who wouldn't miss it? When you're self employed you are THE MAN. In the corporate world, he's still a peon. That sucks.
So he called in tears. He overheard the president of his division say he is "as worthless as tits on a boar".

I'm afraid he's going to quit. And I'm tired of change.

So as I'm driving home and mulling this over, God impresses me with the thought of praising him. Give thanks in all circumstances. Hmmm. Don't really feel like it. I flick on the radio. The first words on the speaker are these:


I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
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
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I came home and downloaded the rest of the song. Here it is:

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”,
and it’s still raining
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your 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’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
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 remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
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 lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
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
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

God's words for me. Now. When I need them. He is with me. I still don't feel like praising, but I'll get there. And though I don't know the future, He does. And it will be OK.