Praise in the Valley

In April, Mobile will be the host of a Franklin Graham Festival. In preparation for the event our church is hosting the Christial Life & Witnessing Training for students on the the west side of the bay. Last night was our fourth meeting (out of 5). A band from a Bayou Sara Baptist Church student ministry led worship. During their set they led us in a song that I have sung a millions times (OK, not a million literal times, but you know what I mean - A LOT). As we sang the words jumped out at me.

It's Matt Redman's, Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. Here's the words that lept out at me:

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Read these words a couple of times. Stop after each part and let the depth of the meaning seep deep into the crevaces your mind, heart, and soul. . .

Now it's easy to praise God when we are in the land of the plentiful and where streams of abundance flow. Isn't it? Let me ask you this, Do we really worship in the good times or just enjoy them and give God lip service? Now I know some of you truly worship God because of the abundance, not doubt. Some of you have been in the valley long enough to appreciate times of abundance and over flow. But when was the last time you worshipped God and poured your heart out to Him in the good times? I find it easy to hide behind the good stuff that's going on and just go through the motions. You?

On the other hand how many times do we get to those desert places in our lives and fall away. We become angry and bitter. We hold in grudges and don't unleash forgiveness. We look around at our circumstances and throw these really great pity parties - AND WE INVITE EVERYONE!! Then again, some of us, get to the valley and fall on our faces before our God and worship Him. We bless His name because we ARE in the valley. We turn up the flame of praise and worship becomes even more passionate. This doesn't minimalize our circumstances, the pain we experience, or the journey in the valley we are on. It does turn the focus from our own situation and turn it back on God - where should always be anyway. Right?

So. . .regardless of the blessings God pours out on our lives or the darkness we may feel we are traveling in, take time today, well. . .now's as good a time as any. . .and praise God, bless His name, worship Him, pour your heart out to Him, open up to the most loving Father you will ever know. Tears may flow, it's OK, I know from experience. It could be gut wrenching and to be brutally honest, very painful, but in the end there is a peace that transcends everything you're going through and covers you.

Won't you join me?
Mike