Blessed Be Your Name

It is well after midnight and our precious little granddaughters are all snug in their beds for another night at Mimi’s and Papa’s home.  I finally settle down to relive in my mind’s eye, our busy day of play, swings, the kiddy pool, watching the girls run and laugh, digging through the old toy chest to rediscover toys , and at last, the Mr. Bubble sweetness coupled with the freshly bathed, slathered in Baby Magic lotion children ready for “night-night”.

As I sat reflecting on the photos from our recent vacation to southern Florida, I was reminded of our Sunday morning worship, blessed communion at the Lord’s table, and hundreds of voices, and hands lifted in praise as we sang Matt Redman’s song, Blessed Be Your Name.  The words, in and of themselves, speak of the blessings of the Lord in a way that is both familiar and comforting to me. 

I have experienced the land of the plentiful where abundance has flowed. My feet have walked through wilderness and desert places but Jesus was always there and I could say, blessed be Your name.

When the darkness of depression twice overcame my life for countless months at a time, still I could say, blessed be Your name.  When pain is overwhelming and sleep is fleeting, I know that my Redeemer lives and still I can and will say, blessed be Your name.

When there were broken promises, trust crushed, confidence betrayed, words given fraudulently, following the will of God as Abraham had done, literally by faith, not knowing where he would end up, still I could say blessed be Your name.

When death has snatched a loved one, a precious friend, in what I think has been untimely, still I must say, blessed be Your Name, for I know that He does give but He does take away.

Every blessing He pours out, I want to turn back to praise, whether or not the sun is shining, and whether or not all is well with the world.

Am I inhuman?  Do I not question?  Do I suffer silently?  Am I super spiritual?  Am I always the cheerful optimist?  I fall so short, but I believe the apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy sums up the answer to my questions quite well.

“This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end. 2 Timothy 1:11-12 (The Message)

Here are the lyrics to Matt’s song.  They couldn’t be more real than they are at this very moment alive in my heart and my spirit.  May they bless you as you read them and here’s the link if you would like to listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du0il6d-DAk  

To God be the glory! - RS 

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
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