Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a song that I’m sure you know.
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
That’s a song I most often sing when I am feeling the confines of my wheelchair. The music is so soothing and so comforting to my heart. Because when I’m hurting, I can quickly forget how deep the Father’s love is for me. When my quadriplegia makes me feel claustrophobic or just plain weary, I have been tempted (in times past) to think that God is mad at me for some reason. And almost subconsciously, I wonder what I did wrong or I wonder what must I now do to get through this? But a modern hymn like this one brings it all back into focus. And this is why I call it not only comforting and soothing, but I call it brave music; courageous music.
So may I suggest to you, the next time you feel overwhelmed by your hardships; when you wonder what you did wrong to deserve such a sad lot in life, chase away those flawed feelings, and get things back in focus by singing to yourself this hymn. And if you need more help during those days when you feel overwhelmed by your afflictions, take hold of this prayer by St. Augustine who wrote hundreds of years ago: "God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely and our souls have lost courage. Oh then flood the path with light, we beseech Thee; turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Thy honor and glory. Amen."
That’s a beautiful prayer, isn’t it? And I sure do like that part about tuning your heart to sing brave music. Courageous music; music that is daring and audacious enough to convince you that God is not mad at you, He’s not against you when you suffer; He is for you; He is with you; and He’ll never leave or forsake you. Psalm 68, verse 19 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Oh, friend, He just doesn’t bear your burdens; He daily bears them! And if you want a copy of this prayer that I just offered up by St. Augustine, then by all means would you please just visit my radio page today at joniandfriends.org where I’ve posted it on-line. Download it and it’s yours. And while you’re on my radio page, don’t forget to ask for your free copy of “Where is God when Things go Wrong?” at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376