A Brand New Outlook
Did you see that?
Did you see that girl doing sign-language in the pew about 4 rows ahead of us?
Did you see the sign she used for the word “praise”?
You see, our youth group and the youth from four other churches were singing the chorus, “Blessed Be Your Name” at a recent youth retreat. A few rows in front of me stood Abby, another youth leader from our church. Abby was singing and doing sign-language to the words of this chorus. She wasn’t up front, but was signing more to herself. I watched Abby for a bit, and then looked to the screen for the next section of words and then turned back to watching Abby do sign-language again. When we got to the part of the chorus that says, “Every blessing You pour out, I’ll turn back to praise.” I stopped singing. Did she really sign what I thought she signed? When she signed the word “praise” she clapped her hands. Do I do that? Do I clap my hands as if to say, “Good job, Lord!!” at whatever God brings into my life?”
Wow … my life has not been the same since.
No matter what happens in my life, no matter if they are blessings (good things) or trials (bad things); I should view every event as coming from God. And if I choose to view every event in my life as coming from the loving hand of God, then whether I view it as good or bad, it is all perfect because it is HIS plan for me. And since it is perfect for me, I should clap my hands and say, “Thank You, Lord!”
So now whenever I sing that chorus, or any other chorus that has the word” praise” in the song, I clap my hands (sometimes out loud and sometimes in my heart) and I thank God for what He is doing in my life.
Psalm 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect. The Word of the LORD is flawless; He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Isaiah 55:9 – As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Blessed Be Your Name..
Matt & Beth Redman
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
And 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
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your name
