In church today for the benediction we sang a song that was talking about blessing the Lord in the good times and in the bad (I think Bless the Lord was the name but it is one we sing regularly). It brought to mind a time a while back that a "friend" from work had come in and for some reason known only to him he had decided that it would be fun to try and get my goat. So he started in and never really let up. There was one problem, however. The topic that he used to get my goat was my faith. Most of you know me enough to realize that this is one area in my life that I am fairly unassailable in that area. Those of you who know me well, like Parson and Graceblest, know that I have been through the fire on several occasions and have come out the other side. The song this morning got me to thinking that if I hadn't have gone through the fire before I would not have had the strength to withstand the needling of my "friend." Going through hell is not fun but it does have a purpose. It makes our faith stronger and it helps us to be able to come alongside our brothers and sisters when they are having trials and tribulations and help them to come through to the other side. I can't say I can always say "bless the Lord" when I am in the middle of tough times but I can look back and say "bless the Lord" afterword because it was for my good and I can see that when I get through and I know that my Lord will always be there when I am going through the rough patches because I've gone through them before and He was always with me. a;m;e;n;
Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 103:6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 103:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 103:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 103:20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 103:21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 103:22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. a;m;e;n;
Words from that Scripture have been put to at least two tunes that I am aware of and both are great! Yes, Cloud, it has been my joy to pray with you through a LOT of things and to have you return the favor so graciously! You, too, Parson! Thank you,my brothers! Another song that I dearly love that basically says the same things, but not to Scripture words is Andre Crouch's "Through It All".