Day 2: Bless God

Throughout Israel’s journey from the wilderness to the Promised Land, they would go from praising God to complaining and even rejecting Him. Instead of moving forward toward their promise, they would often set up camp in their frustration and disappointment.

We’re not meant to set up camp in the valley. Yes, we’re going to experience some challenging moments. We’re going to feel the weight of them. But in Christ, we can move through them. And I’ve personally learned just how powerful praise is in this process.

When my dad passed away at the beginning of 2022, the grief and loss I felt were overwhelming. Yet I can honestly tell you that even then, in my hardest moments of grief, I felt the richest presence of God. I remember telling the Lord a few weeks after my dad passed, “I don’t like what I’m in but I wouldn’t trade the richness of your presence in these moments for anything.” Matthew 5:4 (NIV) says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

I got to meet a new facet of Jesus, as Comforter, in those moments.

It’s His presence that helps us pass through disappointment. It’s His goodness that helps us overcome bitterness. It’s His faithfulness that gives us a reason to stay in hope even in the midst of grief.

I love what Psalms 34 says about this. Verse 1 reads, “I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise (MSG).” The lyrics in the bridge of my song “Bless God” echo this call:

Bless God in the sanctuary

Bless God in the fields of plenty

Bless God in the darkest valley

Every chance I get

I bless Your name

Bless God when my hands are empty

Bless God with a praise that costs me

Bless God when nobody’s watching

Every chance I get

I bless Your name

Bless God when the weapon’s forming

Bless God when the walls are falling

Bless God ‘cause He goes before me

Every chance I get

I bless Your name

Bless God for He holds the victory

Bless God for He’s always with me

Bless God for He’s always worthy

Every chance I get

I bless Your name

God is always deserving of praise. First, because He’s worthy. But second, because praise can become a pathway to healing and hope. With Christ, we can experience difficult times, feel them, and pass through them. So that like David we can declare, “His praise will ever be on my lips (Psalm 34:1, MSG).” So that even in our deepest moments of grief, we can experience the richest presence of God.