Daily Encouragement Net (Archive/Print Edition)

Thursday, March 16, 2006

"Though There's Pain in the Offering"

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

I am blessed with a close family. I often refer to my wife and daughter in this series and Brooksyne is a vital part of this ministry with her editing and prayer. Most readers are aware that my Mom passed away to her eternal reward last November. (My Dad went to be with the Lord in 1998). I have two brothers and a sister. I also have a bunch of cousins on my Mom's side and we stay in touch, although we live from coast to coast and border to border and range in age from the 40's to the 70's.

This Tuesday my cousin's husband passed away after a relatively short battle with cancer. Today I am going up to Traverse City, Michigan where they live and hope to bring encouragement to my relatives as I represent the Weber wing of the family. This is of course, a very hard time for my cousin and her children. I pray that she will experience God's grace and comfort in her grief.

There's a song I really enjoy that I know many readers have heard titled "Blessed Be Your Name." It's a great song of praise and has a lively, contagious tune. One of the lines grips my heart today as I consider this message.

On the road marked with suffering.
Though there's pain in the offering.
Blessed be Your name.

There will certainly be those times in life when we travel "on the road marked with suffering." Not one of us escapes this road, although the intensity varies with each individual and throughout life. Job is an example of one who intensely suffered, yet he recognized that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away and in faith declared, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord."

But the line that especially intrigues me states, "Though there's pain in the offering." Have you been there? I can't say for sure what the writer of the song meant when he wrote these words, but I have a pretty good idea. I believe he's reflecting on just how hard it is to offer sincere praise to God and declare "Blessed be Your Name" in the midst of being on the road marked by suffering.

But that is just what Job demonstrates so powerfully. In the previous verse, following a severe wave of affliction, "He fell to the ground in worship." A Study Bible's commentary states that "Job reacted to the disaster that happened to him with intense grief, but also with a humility that submitted to God and continued to worship Him in the midst of extreme adversity. Job teaches how faithful believers should face life's calamities. Though we may experience severe sufferings and unexplainable affliction, we should pray for grace to accept what God allows to come upon us."*

Today some of you are especially traveling the road marked by suffering. I encourage you to worship God in the midst of your trial. "My heart will choose to say, 'Lord blessed be Your Name!'"

Be encouraged today,

Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer: Jesus, You fully yielded Your own will in the garden of Gethsemane. You pleaded with the Father from Your human heart when You requested, if possible, that the cup of suffering be removed. And yet in Your sacrificial offering You willingly surrendered Your pain-filled body on the cross as You recognized the Father's plan for the redemption of mankind. Your example reminds us that the Father's plan surpasses our limited understanding and finite wisdom. Even as the Father sustained You in the midst of deep sorrow, intense suffering, and great loss I know He will sustain us in our losses and sorrows. Today we pray that You will especially bring Your comfort to those who are traveling on the road marked by suffering.

My cousins at our 2005 family reunion in Oklahoma
(3 are missing from this photo)
We are all looking different ways because of numerous cameras taking photos at the sme time!

Personal note: The message is sent very early this morning since my plane leaves at 6:00AM. I will not be preparing a message tomorrow (Friday, March 17) but expect to resume the encouragements on Monday, March 20.

* Note on Job 1:20-22 in the Full Life Study Bible

Here are the lyrics to the song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redmon. The most powerful time I ever heard this song was at a wedding I participated in last summer in which it was sung as the ceremony was concluded and as the bride and groom departed! It really is a fitting song as a couple embarks upon the journey of marriage as most certainly they will have good times and hard times. Yet what power when a mutual determination is made regardless of the circumstances of life that "Blessed be the Name of the Lord."
Audio version Vide o

Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your Name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be your name

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