The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7 NIV)
Last weekend our family traveled out of state to visit my parents. My mom was celebrating a milestone birthday, so we hosted a birthday open house with angel food cake, strawberries and blueberries, and punch. The afternoon was a celebration of my mom, and many friends and family came to the party. Afterwards I reflected that some of the attendees were people that I hadn’t seen in thirty years – and likely wouldn’t see again, as they were elderly and our paths rarely cross. But one of the guests was a real spot of joy to me.
He was someone I’d grown up with, a year older than me, and a cousin of sorts. When he was a teen he was one of the kindest, most joyful people I knew, and that foundation has not shifted. “Brent” was at the birthday celebration with two of his kids – children I’d never met because we live in different states. We had attended his wedding over two decades ago to a beautiful and delightful woman whom I’d only met at the ceremony. Fast forward through the years of raising kids, her battle with breast cancer and subsequent death two years ago, and the realities of working and raising his four teenage kids alone, and you could have expected this man to be downtrodden. Yet, the joy of the Lord was and is his strength. Although we didn’t talk specifically about this, you could tell that the Lord has been faithful to them, especially in their loss. He and his family have walked a difficult road together; yet, he can smile.
Sometimes it’s just hard to smile. Within the span of three days, my daughter-in-law lost her father, her dog, and this dear sweet woman at church. That’s a lot of loss. Playing the woman’s funeral on Tuesday was hard. We praised and worshiped with abandon, knowing God’s faithfulness and presence. But it was hard to look out over the congregation and see the widower, the daughter, and the son – among many, many others – worshipping with their hands high and tears coursing down their cheeks. Their mother had been a vibrant worshipper and prayer warrior; even though her spirit was already gone, this felt like the last time on earth we would worship with her present. Singing lyrics like this took on a deeper meaning in that moment:
I’m gonna sing in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive*
I love You, Lord
Oh, your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
And all my life you have been faithful
And all my life you have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night you are close like no other
I’ve known you as a Father
I’ve known you as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God**
I cannot imagine walking through life seasons of great loss without the power and presence of God and his Church. The faithfulness, love, mercy, and hope that God brings makes all the difference in these times of struggle. The kindness and faithfulness of church communities that stand with, encourage, provide for, and walk with people who grieve is immeasurably important. The joy of the Lord is our strength. His mercy and faithfulness leads us when we are walking through fire or darkness. When we sing, praise, and worship even in the midst of the storm, the Holy Spirit’s comfort and peace are poured out upon us. For God’s Goodness, even in the midst of loss, all I can say is “hallelujah.”
I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arm stretched wide
I will worship You
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah***
“Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10 NLT)
Faithful God,
Thank you for your faithfulness, your mercy, and your goodness. Thank you for your Holy Spirit’s comfort and peace when we go through seasons of grief and struggle. Thank you for your ever-present nature, especially in the people of your Church who encourage and bless those who travel roads of loss. Thank you that your Joy can be our strength. We pray today for all those who grieve and struggle with loss. May You and your People be very present in those situations. May we praise and worship you because we know that Jesus Christ defeated death at the cross. We pray for peace, healing, hope and smiles to be on those who grieve, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
*”Raise a Hallelujah” by Jonathan David Helser / Jake Stevens / Molly Skaggs / Melissa Phillips Helser, (c) Bethel Music
**”Goodness of God” by Jason David Ingram / Brian Johnson / Edmond Martin Cash / Benjamin David Fielding / Jenn Johnson, (c) So Essential Tunes, Capitol Cmg Paragon, Bethel Music Publishing, Shout! Music Publishing Australia
***”Gratitude” by Benjamin William Hastings / Michael Brandon Lake / Dante Bowe (c) © Bethel Music Publishing, Shout! Music Publishing Australia, Bethel Worship Publishing, Maverick City Publishing, Maverick City Publishing Worldwide, Brandon Lake Music