Yet Will I Praise Him!

And I know that I’ll never be the same

I can see

I can see

I can see

I have no way of knowing, but I would imagine that Jill didn’t have any idea that she was preparing us for the journey that we would have to take in less than two weeks. I have to be honest with you, when I look at this sorrow through my rational, human eyes and think about Jason and Jill and Abby’s trial with my logical mind – I can’t see, I just can’t see. How can you make sense of such an overwhelming loss? Why would this happen to such a Christlike family? There is not an analyst, psychiatrist, or family counselor that can make sense of it for me when you try and explain it on an everyday, human level.

I have learned from my experiences in the past that when times like this happen there are so many things that we turn to just to try to cope, but I have only found one thing that has truly helped me through the storms. Friends are faithful. Quiet times are serene. Advice can either be aggravating or agreeable. Hugs are helpful. All of these are appreciated, but nothing has brought comfort and peace to my heart and soul like God’s Word. God’s Word is rich. He uses it to comfort us in our afflictions. He leads us through nights and days that are so dark that we can’t even see our hand in front of our face. I want to read some Scripture to you that has brought comfort to my aching heart in times past…and once again this week. I pray that God’s Spirit ministers to you through His Word.

2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 NIV)

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 46:1-11 NIV)

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!” 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.” 12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:1-15 NIV)