By Judy Lee Jenkins
This life indeed has many storms and valleys. We never know what God may expect us to face or endure. It could be financial problems, weather disasters, illness, the destruction of war, or the loss of loved ones. Jesus told us that in this world there would be tribulation but he left us this promise in Isaiah 43:2
“WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE
WATERS,
I WILL BE WITH YOU,
AND WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH
THE RIVERS,
THEY WILL NOT SWEEP OVER
YOU.
WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE
FIRE,
YOU WILL NOT BE BURNED,
THE FLAMES WILL NOT SET YOU ABLAZE.”
Also in Isaiah 61:3-7 it says:
..”TO COMFORT ALL WHO MOURN,
AND PROVIDE FOR THOSE WHO
GRIEVE IN ZION–
TO BESTOW ON THEM A CROWN OF
BEAUTY
INSTEAD OF ASHES
THE OIL OF GLADNESS
INSTEAD OF MOURNING,
AND A GARMENT OF PRAISE
INSTEAD OF DESPAIR.”
These words are so comforting to me and I’m sure to everyone because we all have trials we have to endure. The Lord however, lets us know that we never have to endure them alone. He is there with us to strengthen us and help us through.
I heard it said once that if we don’t know the Lord, then this is as good as it gets. However, if we know the Lord and indeed have a personal relationship with him, then we can look beyond this life into a place called Heaven. We can have hope that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones again who also put their trust in Christ and be a part of his eternal family. That will be a wonderful day when all tears will be wiped away!! From those thoughts, I wrote the following song:
LIFE IS FULL OF STORMS AND VALLEYS,
OFT WE FEEL WE CAN’T GO ON,
GOD GIVES COURAGE TO ENDURE THEM,
RENEWS OUR STRENGTH WHEN STRENGTH IS GONE.
WHEN WE PASS THROUGH FIRE OR WATER,
TO BE CONSUMED BY FLOOD OR FLAME,
THE LORD IS WITH US; WILL NOT FORSAKE US
AND GIVES US POWER IN HIS NAME.
(Rescues those who call upon his name)
CHORUS
GOD GIVES BEAUTY FOR OUR ASHES,
FOR HEAVY HEARTS MUCH CHEER AND PRAISE,
FOR THOSE OPPRESSED A NEW BEGINNING.
AND ASSURANCE ALL OUR DAYS.
SATAN COMES TO STEAL OUR PEACE,
WRACK UP HAVOC AND DESTROY,
BUT OUR GOD BRINGS LOVE AND COMFORT,
AND TURNS OUR MOURNING INTO JOY.
2ND VERSE
IN THIS WORLD THERE’S TRIBULATION,
TROUBLES COME WE CAN’T FLEE FROM,
BUT TAKE HEART, LET GO OF SORROW,
JESUS CAME TO OVERCOME.
WHEN WE PASS THROUGH FIRE OR WATER,
TO BE CONSUMED BY FLOOD OR FLAME,
THE LORD IS WITH US; WILL NOT FORSAKE US,
AND GIVES US POWER IN HIS NAME.
CHORUS
GOD GIVES BEAUTY FOR OUR ASHES,
AND FOR HEAVY HEARTS, MUCH CHEER AND PRAISE,
FOR THOSE OPPRESSED A NEW BEGINNING,
AND HIS ASSURANCE ALL OUR DAYS.
SATAN COME TO STEAL OUR PEACE,
WRACK UP HAVOC AND DESTROY,
BUT OUR GOD BRINGS LOVE AND COMFORT,
AND TURNS OUR MOURNING INTO JOY.
(Repeat last verse)