"All My Praise!"

Just a quick note on the background song. Christian music is such a huge ministry to me. I can really worship through music. No, I'm not going up on stage to sing live anytime soon. (That probably deserves an 'Amen!'.)

Anyway, this was the offertory song Sunday at church. I love this song! Certainly, it has a great melody, but the words mean so much more. No, I haven't been in the shadow of death, like some of my family and friends, but there have been some disappointments along the way. I definitely didn't choose this song because I have mastered the ability to praise God in the difficult times. I chose this song because I think it is such a great song of prayer! 'Lord, make this true in my life that I would praise You in the valley!'

It's so easy to praise Him in the great times, but is that really what this life is about? ...praising God in the good times? Partly. God deserves all the glory for the 'green pastures' in our life! But, what about the bad times, the dark disasters, pain, and disappointment? Does He deserve our praise then? Even more so! Regardless of our circumstances, God is still Holy! He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow -- the ONLY constant in our lives. What's more, our circumstances do not determine who we are in Christ Jesus! This is our joy in life!

"Although His answer seems so long in coming and we continue to 'walk in the midst of trouble,' 'the center of trouble' is the place where He preserves us, not the place where He fails us. The times we continue to walk in seemingly utter hopelessness are the very times He will 'stretch out [His] hand against [our] foes' (Ps. 138:7). He will bring our trouble to completion, causing the Enemy's attack to cease and fail. In light of this, what reason would there ever be for despair?" Streams In The Desert

Read the lyrics below...

I will follow you through green pastures
And sing hallelujah to your name
I will follow you through dark disaster
And sing hallelujah through the pain
Even in the shadow of death I will praise You
Even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise
Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise

You are seated on Your throne in heaven
And you see all of us down here
And you have promised you will not abandon
So I shall not fear
Even in the shadow of death I will praise You
Even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise
Holy, my God
You are worthy of all my praise

You made every star
And you taught it how to shine
You knew my name before there was time
And all this was just part of your glorious design
Hallelujah, hallelujah