Blessed Be Your Name

As we were singing Blessed Be Your Name in church today, my heart was filled with worship.

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman

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

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

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
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

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name


Even though it is hard to sing...

"On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering"

I also know...

"In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow"

because I am looking for and see God's goodness.

I have made a choice to spot God working in my life in the midst of grieving. This doesn't mean that I don't have moments or days of fear or sadness. I do. But I want joy. I want to roll in hope.

I know that my blessings in the midst of tears and pain are not an accident. My heart soars when I can identify the blessings because I know that I am deeply loved by my God who grieves with me. I see it each and every day...the protection, the mercy and grace given in abundance, in my precious family, verses that I just happen to need appearing while I am reading, friends pouring love into me, words of encouragement at the moment I need it, people being in the right place at the right time... I could go on and on...

I will sing these words with a thankful heart, and maybe a few tears, resting in the gentle arms of my Savior.

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

"You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 63:7-8

(Another blessing: A friend posted these verses and I read them a the exact moment I needed it. How absolutely perfect...in His timing.)