One of the strangest aspects of being a Christian, in my experience, is being caught between heaven and earth . . . trying to remember the glory of what will be when surrounded by troubles now. Our role is to somehow believe that the glory of what will be comes, not just in spite of, but from the grief of what is.

Sometimes, in a quiet place with God, as I worship Him for all His goodness and promises and faithfulness, I laugh, for it feels that nothing could ever be wrong again. How could there be such thing as disaster, when such a loving and faithful God oversees it all? Then other times, I am sick with despair . . . when the same old enemies still afflict me or my loved ones; when mountains don’t seem to have moved, when beloved ones are still STILL in bondage to destructiveness, after so much advice, so many tears, so much prayer. Then it is crushing to think of all the other people in the world under God’s righteous wrath, trapped in the enemy’s lies and their own self-centeredness, pride, indulgence, desires. Perversion permeates, wrong prevails, ambitions fizzle, Christians fail. How can I rejoice, when I pray so long and desperately, and this is what I see?

But I know. God is still the Lord mighty to save. He is blessed forever, meaning He will accomplish His good pleasure. He will be faithful to complete His work in Christ Jesus. He who created us for His glory, gave His Son that we may be made like Him, will not see this purpose fail. Surely He has not done all this in vain. Every tear will be wiped away, our hope will be seen, and the kingdom will be spectacular. Then we will see the truth of what we try to convince ourselves of--that the destruction that ravaged the Lord’s chosen ones has not kept Him from making us a beautiful bride for Himself. That the prayers that seemed so fruitless have perfumed every corner of our new home; that from everything that was working for evil God has made into something good indeed.

But, for today, my God, let more of Your grace be poured out . . . to give our elders dreams, our younger soldiers Your Word, our persecuted brethren steadfastness, us as free believers boldness. Give us that bitterly convicting grace to take away every excuse we try to make. Oh, God, humble us in prayer. Give us vision, wisdom, patience, perseverance, devotion. Oh, Lord, purify us! And please help me continue to believe that You will make all things new in time.

Ashira l'adonai ki ga'oh ga'ah
Ashira l'adonai ki ga'oh ga'ah
Michamocha, ba-elim adonai
Michamocha nedar-bakodesh
Nachitah v'chasd'cha, am zu ga'alta
Nachitah v'chasd'cha, am zu ga’alta
Ashira, Ashira, Ashira...

Translation:
I will sing unto Adonai for He has triumphed gloriously.
I will sing unto Adonai for He has triumphed gloriously.
Who is like You, O Adondai, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness?
In Your mercy, you lead the people You redeemed.
In Your mercy, you lead the people You redeemed.
I will sing, I will sing, I will sing...

(from The Prince of Egypt)