Gospel Reasoning in Dark Hours
Here is this week’s worship team update, I hope it is an encouragement:
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
There is a wonderful progression of gospel reasoning in this week’s song selection. We begin with a sobering acknowledgment of life’s difficulties in singing God Moves in a Mysterious Way. Even in the darkness, the gospel reassures us that the Lord is in control, but that is only half the comfort. The gospel also tells us this is no cold sovereignty, rather, the Creator and Ruler of all things is also our heavenly Father who loves us and is pursuing our good for His glory. So, we reason thus:
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
In the light of that encouraging truth, we will then sing together of song of confident reliance upon the Lord found in Psalm 121:
I lift my eyes up, up to the mountains.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You,
Maker of Heaven; Creator of the Earth.
He will not let you slip.
He watches without sleep.
He is your constant shade.
He keeps you from all harm.
He will preserve your life
Now and forevermore.
Preaching this gospel reliance to ourselves in the midst of our struggles should then lead us to praise our God and King and call others to do the same:
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing.
O praise Him! Alleluia!
….Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
And from this grace-adjusted focus we can then move out in faith to the battlefield as we sing,
Lead on, O King Eternal,
We follow not with fears!
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er Your face appears.
Your cross is lifted o’er us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might!
May the Lord use this week’s songs to remind you of all the care, safety, blessing and growth that are yours in Christ. And may that truth inspire and enable you to live out the gospel to a lost and dying world. The providence of Almighty God is working intimately & personally for you because you are in union with Christ. He is the One who has called you into the fray and promised you His protection and strength. As is written so profoundly in our final hymn, How Firm a Foundation:
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
Gospel Blessings,
Jason
Gal. 2:20
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