"Blessed Be Your 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…”
-From the song “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the song “Blessed Be Your Name.”  After the sermon that our pastor preached on Romans 5:3-5 (see Joy in the Midst of Trials), to sing this song really drove the application home.  Your blessings aren’t only the things that the world sees as good (like a good day, more money, or even a hug at the right time), but the trials we face are also Your blessings.  It takes a true shift in focus to see that, but when we look at the world through Your eyes, then we see Your Victory.

Help me to keep my focus on You, Lord.  I am reminded of the line from the song “I Need Your Love” by Pentatonix (Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding Cover) that says, “When everything’s wrong, you make it right.”  I know it wasn’t originally written in reference to You, but I can apply it that way in some respects.  When I am looking at the world around me and see all that is “wrong,” I can look up to You and recognize that in Your sovereignty, You allowed all of this for my good, and while it still hurts, that’s okay, because You make everything right.  There is nothing in this world apart from Your will, and You are faithful to “cause all things to work together for good to those who love God[.]”

So help me in every blessing - whether trial or pleasure - to turn it back to You in praise.  Help me to recognize Your blessings, and to rejoice in Your love.  Thank You for Your Victory.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.