There is so much pain that so many are going through. 2017 was full of destruction: natural disasters, shootings, vicious protests, mass murder/slaughter from terrorist attacks throughout the world, suicides/homicides, people dying of cancer and disease whether from a long drawn out process or suddenly with a shock, miscarriage that leaves single mothers or couples and their families with gaping, broken hearts, families broken from arguments, drugs, infidelity, or any number of painful struggle, division- whether socially, politically, physically, emotionally, spiritually, familial or relational. It is international, national, church-wide, city-wide, in our families and with us each personally. I could not begin to scratch the surface of the things that people are going through.
We are weary. 2018 came and we were thankful. But, it doesn't erase the pain of yesterday. How do we deal with the heartbreak we have just endured?
It is so easy to become distracted and discouraged; from the weight of sin, struggle, persecution, pain, hurt, disappointment, loneliness, etc. But, we do not have One who is unable to sympathize with us, but He has endured all things and delights in comforting us- not with an earthly comfort, but comfort, peace and joy that goes beyond all understanding, strengthening our inner being. We cannot do it. But, He can. This will show His power and glory; His great mercy and love for us, causing us to endure till the end. Until He returns.
Praise and glory be to God!
"O church, arise, and put your armor on;
Hear the call of Christ our captain.
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given.
With shield of faith and belt of truth,
We'll stand against the devil's lies.
An army bold, whose battle cry is love,
Reaching out to those in darkness.
Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole.
We will fight with faith and valor.
When faced with trials on every side.
We know the outcome is secure.
And Christ will have the prize for which He died;
An inheritance of nations!
Chorus:
Arise, shine for your light has come!
Arise, shine for the Risen Son!
Lift your eyes, we are His radiant bride!
Arise, o church arise!
Come, see the cross, where love and mercy meet,
As the Son of God is stricken;
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet,
For the Conqueror has risen!
And as the stone is rolled away,
And Christ emerges from the grave,
This victory march continues till the day
Ev'ry eye and heart shall see Him.
So Spirit, come put strength in every stride;
Give grace for every hurdle.
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
As saints of old, still line the way,
Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls, and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in Glory!
CHORUS"
"O church, arise, and put your armor on;
Hear the call of Christ our captain.
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given.
With shield of faith and belt of truth,
We'll stand against the devil's lies.
An army bold, whose battle cry is love,
Reaching out to those in darkness.
Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole.
We will fight with faith and valor.
When faced with trials on every side.
We know the outcome is secure.
And Christ will have the prize for which He died;
An inheritance of nations!
Chorus:
Arise, shine for your light has come!
Arise, shine for the Risen Son!
Lift your eyes, we are His radiant bride!
Arise, o church arise!
Come, see the cross, where love and mercy meet,
As the Son of God is stricken;
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet,
For the Conqueror has risen!
And as the stone is rolled away,
And Christ emerges from the grave,
This victory march continues till the day
Ev'ry eye and heart shall see Him.
So Spirit, come put strength in every stride;
Give grace for every hurdle.
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
As saints of old, still line the way,
Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls, and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in Glory!
CHORUS"
"And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
who was and is and is to come!”
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
-Revelation 4:6b-11
That's how glorious our God is. How amazing our God is. How magnificent His glory is.
And His love will not let us go. It's rich and free because of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment