God will bring beauty out of your vallys – How to praise even in the hurting and the waiting
In this broken world, suffering is no stranger to any of us… You may be facing a storm right now that has you feeling hopeless, but thank God that our feelings do not determine His faithfulness! He sees you. He cares. He’s able. I hope by the end of this devotional, you are reminded just where your peace is found as you give Him your “Hallelujah Even Here.” 🖤 -Lydia
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“Right here, when I just can’t understand
I’ll lift my hands”
When I was a child, anytime I was scared, got hurt, or didn’t understand something, I’d run to my parents because I knew I was safe there. I trusted that they were in control, loved me, and would hold me through whatever I was facing. Even if things were still scary, my heart could rest, knowing that I could trust the arms holding me.
This is exactly how God wants us to look at Him. Psalm 103:13 says, “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.” Just like a good earthly father, He wants you to run to him with any fear or burden so He can give you peace.
Maybe you didn’t have parents like mine who helped you understand God’s love at an early age… If that’s the case, let me describe the kind of love the Father has for YOU, His precious child.
His love is unconditional… You can’t lose it, no matter how badly you mess up (Psalm 103:1).
His love is patient and kind… He doesn’t get angry at you or annoyed when you have questions (Psalm 86:15).
His love cares… He knows the storm you’re going through isn’t forever. He even knows the redemption and good He can bring from it, and yet, He hurts when you hurt. He wants you to come to Him with every unattractive, honest emotion… and like a good Father, He wants to pull you close and comfort you.
His love is like no other love on this earth… and you can trust it.
You wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t walking through something difficult… and honestly, I wouldn’t have written the song, “Hallelujah Even Here,” if I hadn’t been walking through something difficult… but, God brought beauty out of my valley, and He’ll do the same for you. I want to encourage you to lift your hands today. Lift them in worship because of who God is, even here. But also, lift your hands to a Father who loves you and wants to hold you close as He leads you through whatever you’re facing. He’s already written the end of your story, and you do win in the end… In the meantime, you can trust the Man who died for you.
With you and love you,
Lydia
Accompanying bible verses
NIV version
1 John 3:1
1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Psalms 32:7-8
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Luke 15:20
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
Psalms 103:13
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
Psalms 103:1
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Psalms 86:15
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Hallelujah Even Here: A 5-day devotional by Lydia Laird– Day 2
