Blessed Be His Name - Always?
My husband and I married with dreams of going into the ministry, but merely two years later, through a set of difficult circumstances my husband turned away from God. Subsequently I prayed for the next twenty-three years for his return to faith. Just after our twenty fifth wedding anniversary I learned of his affair.Did I ever imagine years of prayer would culminate in this moment?
NOT ON YOUR LIFE!
The song Blessed Be Your Name, had great significance in the midst of my sorrow. I was holding onto faith by my fingernails. The concept of choosing to say to God, “though you give and take away, blessed be your name,” was hard, real hard.
We could get into a theological debate…because no, God did not want my husband to make the choices he did, but God did know that he would. Coming from a broken home, much prayer went into my decision to marry and yet God who understood fully what lay ahead did not circumvent the marriage. God also knew the severity of this failure would draw my husband back to Him. In the end God is sovereign and there is little else to argue.
I will say no more than suggest you read these lyrics and listen to the song below. Soak in the words. Let them cover you with the same healing balm in which they enveloped me.
The line “my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name,” infused power when life was at its worst. To demonstrate faith when there is no understanding remains the ultimate test. The choice to believe is deliberate and God is pleased with steadfast devotion. So hold on my dear friend, as God met me in the darkness, He will meet you.
Though I love music, for a long time I could not sing, all I could do was listen as tears coursed down my face…
It was enough!
God understood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qp11X6LKYY
Matt Redman
BLESSED BE YOUR NAME
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
Album:Ultimate Collection (2010), Where Angles Fear to Tread (2002), Blessed Be Your Name The Songs Of Matt Redman, Vol. 1 (1999)