I have a reason to sing.

This morning, I found myself waking up to worship music filling my thoughts. It surprised me, though because I went to bed last night with a very heavy heart, desperate to see God move in certain situations and in the lives of those I love that are hurting. I’m not a morning person nor am I a great singer, but I love to sing praise to my God. I always have. I pray that I always will. As the words ran through my mind, I couldn’t help but grab my iPod and start playing these songs. As it shuffled through many different favorites of mine, it came to one in particular that I have clung to in the past during desert seasons of my life. You know, the times that are dry and parched, filled with pain and disappointment, times when we desperately try to cling to hope that seems to escape us at every turn. The words of this particular song always bring me back to those places and times in my life when it was all that I could do to reach out for Jesus. "Desert Song"[Verse 1]This is my prayer in the desertWhen all that's within me feels dryThis is my prayer in my hunger and needMy God is the God who provides[Verse 2]And this is my prayer in the fireIn weakness or trial or painThere is a faith provedOf more worth than goldSo refine me, Lord, through the flame[Chorus]And I will bring praiseI will bring praiseNo weapon formed against me shall remainI will rejoiceI will declareGod is my victory and He is here[Verse 3]And this is my prayer in the battleWhen triumph is still on its wayI am a conqueror and co-heir with ChristSo firm on His promise I'll stand[Chorus]And I will bring praiseI will bring praiseNo weapon formed against me shall remainI will rejoiceI will declareGod is my victory and He is here[Bridge]All of my lifeIn every seasonYou are still GodI have a reason to singI have a reason to worship[Chorus]And I will bring praiseI will bring praiseNo weapon formed against me shall remainI will rejoiceI will declareGod is my victory and He is here[Verse 4]This is my prayer in the harvestWhen favor and providence flowI know I'm filled to be emptied againThe seed I've received I will sow And then, it struck me. That one line – “I have a reason to sing.” I think I forget that simple truth sometimes. Perhaps you do as well. Every moment of our lives, in every season, in the good and in the bad, in the ups and in the downs, Jesus Christ remains. That is the truth. He is here. He is present. And if we have nothing else left in this life to find hope in, that alone is reason enough to sing. He woke you up this morning with breath in your lungs. You have a reason to sing. He brought you to this blog post and through it, to the truths of God’s Word. You have a reason to sing. He extended new mercies towards you today. You have a reason to sing. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you possess the hope of glory. You have a reason to sing. Let’s not forget this, today. You and I both, no matter what difficulty we are facing right now, no matter the hurt or the pain, we have a God who provides, a God who heals, a God who makes all things new. We have a reason to sing and to worship, even in this storm. I am praying for you, today, wherever you are and whatever you’re going through. You are loved and cherished by a God who takes great delight in you. So, sing.