I really love Josh Wilson's voice, but it is the powerful lyrics God gives him...raw and real...that extend beyond his obvious talents and lavish a healing balm to weary souls. This morning, I went looking to share his song "Before The Morning" because it fit well with a passage in Romans 8 that has been calling me. Here are some bits and pieces of the passage...but I recommend grabbing your Bible and highlighting it, if it is not already marked, underlined and tabbed! The full passage is one to memorize. If you journal...get the paints, stamps and markers out and add full color to this passage of promise, hope and it gives some answers, too.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.-Romans 8:18-19
There is no comparison of this life to what He has in store for those who choose Him here. We are here to learn to love Him, but this is temporary. This is not our home...at least not this earth. Do we hope...or are we sure of what we hope for as faith is defined in Hebrews 11?
There is a big picture we can't see from our "snapshot" (he uses that term in the lyrics) perspective in the moment. In our seasons of troubles or suffering...we don't always get the immediate answer or "miracle" we hope he will send. Then again. Sometimes, we do.
We actually had that bold answer... to a bold prayer... in our family just a week ago. I am still in awe of God's grace and His obvious hand.(That is a story only told with permission and one another day.) I know for a fact that prayers whispered in the dark of a sleepless night are heard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=New8i_eX3x8
The official video only hints at the story behind the song. It is 9 minutes long...but it is worth the watch. Seriously, good stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUHe744pIMw
It is worth every minute spent in viewing.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:26-28
This crazy life journey doesn't always make sense. Actually...it rarely makes sense. We can drive ourselves to an ugly edge if we try to figure it all out. I fight letting Him lead at time. I resist giving it over to Him...or I pray and take the worry pack. To carry our fears, hurts, anxiety and helpless feelings to the foot of the cross... and nailing them there...we can be free. Even in the dark before the morning.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" -Romans 8:35
The early church was being martyred for their beliefs. It was getting dangerous to be a believer in Jesus. They were fed to lions, endured beatings, jailed and found courage as they prayed and gathered in secret.. Yet, God kept moving in their midst with miracles and the Holy Spirit pouring out power into the darkest days. It was bad. But...it was, also, good. It was ugly and beautiful.
I love that he references childbirth. It was bad back then. No epidurals. No nurse with creature comforts. Pain and suffering...but the result was a precious, new life. Pain and suffering can still result in new life.
The future is His to command...but He does not abandon his own.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:37-39
Nothing can separate us. Nothing! Our soul breath was His breath. We are unique to all other created thing. We are in His image, with his soul breath...that soul longs to be home. We are just passing through. We can choose gratitude or we can can choose to be miserable.
Josh sings:
"Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming
So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the dark before the morning"
Be daring. We can "press on". We all have a heart condition in need of His healing...but he only comes when invited.
Today, I am grateful for the story behind the song "Before The Morning".
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