I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
I’ll see You do it again

On Friday, March 13, 2020 normal routines ceased.  We were on “lock-down” by governmental and medical decrees.  The deadly virus was taking lives by the hundreds.  It didn’t matter what age bracket you were in; you could succumb to this virus and suddenly die or go through much pain and suffering just trying to breathe.  We took breathing for granted until that day.  We took quick runs to the grocery store for granted.  We took our family and friends always being around us for granted.  We considered our lives to be our own.  We were held captive by a virus that researchers fought hard to control. There was no cure. 

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

The medical community fought immediately to find a cure as well as a preventive inoculation while death was all around them.  Life as we knew it on that Friday the Thirteenth was put on pause and came to a grinding halt in most areas around the world.  Hoarders and scalpers took over supplies of daily needs which caused panic and chaos to a degree much more prevalent than the raid before a snow storm or hurricane approaching.  But essential workers still carried on but with greater precautions, more rules, changing daily protocols of preventive measures to stop the wave of death.

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

ALL of this suffering doesn’t quite come close to God’s people forced from their homes, religious traditions, and general way of life to be slaves to the Babylonian empire for years.  But we can relate to the Psalmist who writes of the exiles return to their homelands, the return to Zion!   “It seemed like a dream…” he writes. 

Because most of us obeyed new protocols, we are coming close to a time we can be with our families, go about life as we were used to doing and worship together without restrictions and protocols.  Instead of accusing, denying and defying, we must ask ourselves, what did we learn in our suffering and troubles, our isolation and change of lifestyle?  And most of all, when the virus will no longer be the headliner of all news media stations, we will praise God as His people did?

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again

God IS doing it again!  He is helping us through these troubling, deep waters.  He is providing for us.  He is always with us.  Our circumstances should not control us or distract us from God’s glorious invention and consistent work in our hearts, minds and souls.  Yes, God uses the things of this imperfect, fallen world to bring beauty from ashes once more.  God is doing it again in each one of us.  Don’t you see it?    

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 126, The Message

^1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
    when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
    we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
    “God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
    we are one happy people.

^4-6 And now, God, do it again—
    bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
    will shout “Yes!” at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
    will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

TRUTH: God was, is and always will be God.  And now, God do it again!  Help us to see your glory in all of life and give you praise immediately!  Thank you for doing it again and again and again.

Proverb 3:6-8, GNT

WISDOM:  “Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.”

Abba, Father,

Thank you for helping through these troubled times.  We know it isn’t over but we know You are with us.  I pray Your comfort and strength for the families who have lost loved ones through this pandemic that has affected the whole imperfect world.  I pray for those who lost their jobs to find work that was better than before.  Most of all, I pray that others will find and follow you as a result of turning their attention from daily routines of survival to knowing the One who loves us most.  Yes, Lord, do it again.  Turn the ashes of this life into your beauty.  Your love, mercy and grace aren’t just “dreams” for those who believe, it’s reality for your people who love you back.  I love you, Lord, with all that is in me. Thank you for doing it again.

In Jesus Name, Amen 

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love, oh
My heart will sing Your praise again
(Oh, yes, it will)

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Oh, oh-oh

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Oh, You’ve never failed me yet
And I never will forget
You’ve never failed me yet
And I never will forget