J.M. Diener
It’s amazing how praising God before and during times of agitation calms the soul. While words from Scripture are best, I have a better memory for songs, so I find ones that really speak Scripture and sing them to myself. Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name”
is one such song. It goes like this:
Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
When I’m found in the desert place
When I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your Name
Ev’ry blessing you pour out,
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
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 is 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
Ev’ry blessing you pour out,
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
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!
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your Name!
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious Name!
This is a tough sermon in a few lines and with a catchy tune. But here’s the thing: it works! When you’re flying in a plane, not knowing if they’ll let you in to the country at the other end, it gives peace. When you’re sitting in the dentist chair and he’s going after that eighth cavity at the back of your mouth, it works to calm you down. And that’s because blessing the name of the Lord is the best, the best, the very best thing we can do. So, if you can, get your hands on this song, memorize it and sing it when you’re sitting in stopped traffic, when the kids have messed up the house, when your world is crashing down, or when you’re at the heights of joy. God will reward you for blessing His Name, regardless of how you feel.