Songs on a Sunday: The Promise

Sometimes we as Christians have a tendency to get mad at God. We get disappointed, hurt, angry, and bitter because we think God didn't keep His promises. We shake our fists in His face, cry, yell, pout, whine, and fume in anger because we believe that the Holy God of this Universe has dared to let us down.

It boils down to our expectations for God in our lives. This song reminds me to have realistic expectations and not to be angry at God when He doesn't fulfill things we believe He should do especially when He never actually promised them. Remembering the things that He actually did promise makes those promises even more precious.

The Promise

I never said that I would give you silver or gold.

Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold.

But I did say you'd never walk through this world alone.

And I did say, "Don't make this world your home."

I never said that fear wouldn't find you in the night.

Or that loneliness was something you'd never have to fight.

But I did say I'd be right there by your side.

And I did say I'll always help you fight.

  
'Cause you know I made a promise that I intend to keep.

My grace will be sufficient in every time of need.

And My love will be the anchor that you can hold onto.

This is the promise, this is the promise I made to you.

I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you.

Or that the world around you wouldn't see you as a fool. 

But I did say like me you'll surely be despised.

And I did say my ways confound the wise.

I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death

Or have to walk through chilly Jordan to enter into rest.

But I did say I'd be waiting right on the other side.

And I did say I'll dry every tear you cry.

 
'Cause you know I made a promise that I've prepared a place.

And some day sooner than you think you'll see Me face to face.

And you'll sing with the angels and a countless multitude.

This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you.

 
So just keep on walkin', don't turn to the left or right.

And in the midst of darkness, let this be your light -

That Hell can't separate us and you're gonna make it through.

This is the promise, this is the promise I made to you.

Songs on a Sunday: Blessings

I have only heard this song a couple times, but it never fails to touch me deeply. I pray that it will be a blessing to those who take the time to read it.

Blessings

by Laura Story

We pray for blessings. We pray for peace,

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.

We pray for healing, for prosperity.

We pray for Your mighty Hand to ease our suffering.

And all the while You hear each spoken need.

You love us way too much to give us lesser things.

'Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights 

Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear.

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near.

We doubt Your goodness. We doubt Your love,

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough.

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe.

'Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights 

Are what it takes to know You're near?

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us and darkness seems to win,

We know the pain reminds this heart that this is not, 

This is not home. It's not our home.

'Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

And what if a thousand sleepless nights 

Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if my greatest disappointments and the aching of this life,

 Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy?

And what if trials of this life, the rain, storms, the hardest nights 

Are Your mercies in disguise?

To me, "Blessings" questions what we are willing to endure in order to know God. It asks the hard questions about whether or not it's really worth it to know God deeply if the only ways to do that are painful. It asks us to ask ourselves if we can choose to see God's greater good in the hard times of this life. Each time I hear its questions, I can't help but think that He IS worth the pain and hardship. If trials and tears are what it takes to know Him, they are still such a small price to pay. 

"Blessings" also reminds me that we should rejoice "in all things" and thank Him in all situations. Because often the trials we face are really gracious opportunities to know Him better and merciful chances to shine brighter for Him than we ever could have done in "good" times. 

The rain is still a blessing, if we only have enough faith to see it.