The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
As we’ve been walking down this “oh, you might have some heart trouble” road, this song by Andrew Peterson came to mind. It was written following the tragic death of a dear friend’s wife shortly after she gave birth to their first child. Our circumstances seem so very minor in comparison, yet still these lyrics are true –
You’re always good, always good Somehow this sorrow is shaping my heart Like it should And You’re always good, always good
Do You remember how Mary was grieving?
How You wept and she fell at Your feet?
If it’s true that You know what I’m feeling
Could it be that You’re weeping with me?
Arise, O Lord, and save me
There’s nowhere else to go
You’re always good, always good
Somehow this sorrow is shaping my heart
Like it should
And You’re always good, always good
It’s so hard to know what You’re doing
So why won’t You tell it all plain?
But You said You’d come back on the third day
And Peter missed it again and again
So maybe the answer surrounds us
And we don’t have eyes to see
You’re always good, always good
This heartache is moving me closer than joy ever could
And You’re always good
My God, my God, be near me
There’s nowhere else to go
And Lord, if You can hear me
Please help Your child to know
That You’re always good, always good
As we try to believe what is not meant
To be understood
Will You help us to trust Your intentions for us are still good?
‘Cause You laid down Your life and You suffered like I never could
And You’re always good, always good
You’re always good, always good
********************************
From Andrew Peterson’s 2018 EP entitled “Resurrection Letters: Prologue”
Always Good
Written by Andrew Peterson
(c) 2018 Jakedog Music (ASCAP) Admin. by Musicservices.org
We saw Steve Green in concert this past week, and he finished the evening (actually I think it was an encore) with an a capella rendition of this great hymn composed by Martin Luther during the Reformation. The words speak as clearly today as they did in 1549 when it was written. This video is not from this past week, but still a wonderful rendition of this powerful hymn. A Mighty Fortress is our God
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
I don’t think I’d never heard this hymn before we sang it last Sunday at a small church in Vermont. How thankful I am that “when I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast!” Maybe you need that reassurance today too!
I have been an Andrew Peterson fan close to twenty years. I’ve been blessed to see him in concert several times (including his Behold the Lamb Christmas concert – EXCELLENT). This is one of his newest songs – and it is stirs my soul. The video is beautiful – and the lyrics are so rich with truth. May your heart be blessed today as you meditate on our Worthy God –
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