It’s been a long week, to say the least. We lost a friend this week in a car accident. Hayden Carter was a 16 year old who was one of our youth students in Murfreesboro. Through stories of conversations and 3 journal entries from the last two days of his life, we were able to see how the Lord worked in Hayden’s life to bring him to faith in Christ. We sang a song that is fast becoming one of my new favorites. The song is by Matt Redman and is off Passion’s Everything Glorious CD. The lyrics are:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are nearAnd I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of meAnd I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth(Chorus)
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
As I reflected on this song, Scripture, and thought of my own story, I became convinced of one thing. Often we talk about Perseverance of the Saints (the P of the Calvinist TULIP). As the day went along I found myself believing in Perseverance of the Saints less and less. I became more convinced that while saints may appear to persevere, it is God who perseveres for us and in us. It is God who continually speaks to our hearts even though we wander as I did when I begun college. The more I look back, the more I understand that it was not my own perseverance, but the perseverance of God on my behalf.
He has been so good to me. Our God “never lets go”. I am certain that, “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion… (Philipians 1:6)”
I think that is Philippians 1:6
You’re right it is. I guess I should do less writing late at night and more sleeping. Thanks for pointing that out.
Andrew
no problem. Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I needed the encouragement.
As iron sharpens iron!