Baruch HaShem Adonai! (Blessed be the Name of the Lord)

It’s been an interesting week. I haven’t known quite what to post … just one of those stretches where I’ve really had to cling to the knowledge that the Lord is good, and that He has a plan, and that His plan is good. 🙂

But, I think I had a breakthrough yesterday. Or rather, I did have a breakthrough … one time of waiting is being exchanged for another, and I’m still floating from sheer relief.

All week I’ve been contemplating a song from Newsboys’ “Devotion”–one which talks about how no matter how life is going, whether good or bad, we should praise the Lord. “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 …” Pretty elementary stuff, spiritually, but hardest to do when things are rough, or when we’re stuck waiting with no discernable reason. Yet, absolutely vital …

I heard another song tonight, one that I’ve seen the words to a time or two but oddly never actually heard till today … it really sums up where I’ve been for a while …

Song: Praise You In This storm
Artist: Casting Crowns
Album: Lifesong
Written By: Mark Hall & Bernie Herms
Copyright: © 2005 Word Music, LLC / BanaHama Tunes / SWECS Music / Club Zoo Music

I was sure by now, God,
You would have reached down and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day
but once again, I say amen, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls,
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain,
I’m with you.
And as Your mercy falls,
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives,
and takes away

And I’ll praise You in this storm, and I’ll lift my hands
For You are who You are, no matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried, You hold in your hand
You never left my side, and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You and raised me up again
My strength is almost gone, how can I carry on
if I can’t find You..?

I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

And though my heart is torn, I’ll praise You in this storm

Thank You, Lord, for being with us through all the storms of life … and even in the times of dead calm, when it seems nothing is happening and we don’t know when the next breeze will come.

I’m ready and willing for this next step, and filled with a sense of expectation to see what the Lord has planned.