I have a reason to sing.

This morning, I found myself waking up to worship music filling my thoughts. It surprised me, though because I went to bed last night with a very heavy heart, desperate to see God move in certain situations and in the lives of those I love that are hurting. I’m not a morning person nor am I a great singer, but I love to sing praise to my God. I always have. I pray that I always will. As the words ran through my mind, I couldn’t help but grab my iPod and start playing these songs. As it shuffled through many different favorites of mine, it came to one in particular that I have clung to in the past during desert seasons of my life. You know, the times that are dry and parched, filled with pain and disappointment, times when we desperately try to cling to hope that seems to escape us at every turn. The words of this particular song always bring me back to those places and times in my life when it was all that I could do to reach out for Jesus.

 

“Desert Song”

[Verse 1]
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

[Verse 2]
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flame

[Chorus]
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

[Verse 3]
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

[Chorus]
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

[Bridge]
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

[Chorus]
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

[Verse 4]
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow

 

And then, it struck me. That one line – “I have a reason to sing.” I think I forget that simple truth sometimes. Perhaps you do as well. Every moment of our lives, in every season, in the good and in the bad, in the ups and in the downs, Jesus Christ remains. That is the truth. He is here. He is present. And if we have nothing else left in this life to find hope in, that alone is reason enough to sing. He woke you up this morning with breath in your lungs. You have a reason to sing. He brought you to this blog post and through it, to the truths of God’s Word. You have a reason to sing. He extended new mercies towards you today. You have a reason to sing. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you possess the hope of glory. You have a reason to sing. Let’s not forget this, today. You and I both, no matter what difficulty we are facing right now, no matter the hurt or the pain, we have a God who provides, a God who heals, a God who makes all things new. We have a reason to sing and to worship, even in this storm. I am praying for you, today, wherever you are and whatever you’re going through. You are loved and cherished by a God who takes great delight in you. So, sing.