We sang Matt Redman’s song “Blessed Be Your Name” again the other day in church.
I have sung the song through tears and at other times with hardly an emotion.
I enjoy the times where it has been honest-to-God worship.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Still, I always walk away having sung the lyrics feeling conflicted. The song speaks both to the praise God deserves in both trouble and in blessing.
On the “comfortable” end, the third verse lyrics read:
Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name
In the next verse, on the more “uncomfortable” side, the lyrics read:
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
I admit, recently the world does feel “all as it should be.” I don’t want suffering for my loved ones or myself. I prefer the sun shining down on us at all times.
I don’t want pain in the offering. Show me somebody who does and I’ll show you somebody I don’t want to be around.
But, as a Christian, suffering and pain are guaranteed along our journey and they aren’t something to shrink back from. At the risk of sounding like Willy Wonka, sometimes the trouble is the blessing and sometimes the blessing is the trouble.
“When the world’s all as it should be,” my tendency to lean on God can decrease. In times of trouble, I don’t want to lose sight of His presence. God increases while I decrease.
This is where the most growth for me has taken place.
When trouble comes, focusing on God’s attributes will help us cling to Him and not unravel by focusing on the problem in front of us. One way to cling to Him is to tell him how great He is despite the pain and suffering. It’s in these darker days when we don’t see the sun shining down on us we see God shine greater. After each time of trouble, God never fails to bring a period of refreshment and peace.
“And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” – Job 1:21
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” – Psalm 30:11-12
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” – Nahum 1:7
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
I’m glad the song reminds me of my need for God at all times and I enjoy singing it because it is true. Troubles will come and go. Don’t get used to them. Don’t get used to the time of refreshment either. Get used to God.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
