Storm

Why is it so easy to say, “God I’ll praise You in the storms”, but so hard to actually execute it?  I don’t understand how David can continually call out to God, praising Him in spite of the fact that David’s enemies are heavy upon him.  David spends the first half of Psalm 71 tells of how his enemies are conspiring against him.  They are whispering behind his back and plotting to kill him.  He’s getting old and his body isn’t working the way it used to.  And yet he comes in at verses 15 and 16 with this: “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.  I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.” His life is a mess, and yet he still can praise God.  He still calls God sovereign and still proclaims His righteousness.

I’m stuck in a storm right now.  My emotions are a mess.  My heart is being torn in half – half of it is here with me in the country that I love and that I’m learning to call home, and part of it is back with my sisters in the place that has always been home.  All I want to do is scream.  And run away.  And tell God that I’m not a fan of Him right now and I hate the fact that He is testing me in this way.  And yet…I should praise Him.  My heart longs to praise Him.  In everything.  The good times and the bad.  The sunshine and the storms.  Why is it so easy to say and so hard to do?

Yesterday morning, Jennie’s iPod was playing in the bathroom and “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns came on.  It pretty much shattered me.

I was sure by now
That 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 You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And i will 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
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

I’ll praise You in this storm
And i will 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 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’ll praise You in this storm
And i will 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

Jesus, help me to praise You in this storm.  Take away my selfishness, my pride, my anger, my confusion, my frustration – take away everything that is keeping me from praising You.  You are good, even in the storms.

~ by dailysurrenderings on September 30, 2008.