I Will Praise You in This Storm

In beginning to follow the Bible Study on the book of James by Mark Hall of Casting Crown, he mentions the song, "I Will Praise You in This Storm." I just happened to have my iPod sitting here with that song loaded on it and knew I had not listened to it for some time, but knowing I must.

So I paused the video Bible Study (you can find it here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150418477440594) and popped in the ear buds and listened to the very difficult but spot-on lyrics.

The sad fact is that I have been weathering an illness-related storm in my life for some years now -- seemingly unending years. Lately I know I have begun to wonder "where is God in all of this?" Does he even know I exist anymore? Has He forgotten me? Is this really all there is and the best I can expect for the rest of my days on earth?

I have not admitted these thoughts and doubts to anyone until this moment. But they have been there, pushing harder and harder to surface through my feeble efforts at "faith."

However, at the very core of who I am there exists a being who was bought and paid for completely by my faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ when I was only 14 years old. I cannot abandon that person now. Even in this storm I am still in the very loving, caring and capable hands of God ... in whose hands are also my tears, as is pointed out in the song. Most of those tears for me have remained unshed by my eyes, but are spent in my heart. Now I am reminded that those tears and all they represent are held in the hands of God, who is with me in this storm. He is the God "who gives and takes away" and as Job said, would I accept good from the hand of God and not accept the Not-so-good? (my paraphrase)

Today I face the fact that God does not change. He is God now and forever and His love is as constant as He is. No matter what I am going through, He loves me no less now than when His blessings seemed to flow freely before this period of illness.

If His love has not decreased, then why would my praise do so?

I must begin again to sing and to praise Him in this storm.

The words of the song say it so much better than I can. I share them with you:

"Praise You In This Storm"
by Mark Hall, Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear
Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away


And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth