Casting Crowns"Praise You in this Storm"

Casting Crowns is one of my all-time favorite bands. Their music has such powerful meaning, and it's always so truthful and REAL. Any time I go through something in my life that seems unbearable, when the storm seems to never end and even get rougher, this song is always a big reminder of how big my God really is. Jesus never promised life would be easy, and trust me, I've had my fair share of hard times. But, He did promise to never leave us. He can give us strength to go on when we feel like we have none left, but only if we let Him.

Tonight I was doing my Bible Study, trying to catch up. I had to do 2 days worth because honestly, even though I've had two weeks to do 5 days of homework, I've only just started. The study is on the Psalms of Ascents, Psalms 120 through 134. I'm ashamed to say that I honestly didn't realize that part of Casting Crowns song Praise You in this Storm came from Psalm 121 - specifically verses 1-2. When I read those verses, a melody came to my mind and I knew that I'd heard a song with those exact words. So when I was done, I had to come research what song I'd been humming every time I read those verses. I've linked Casting Crowns' MySpace page to the title of this post - if you have time, go on and visit the page so you can hear the song. I found the lyrics below online:

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

So how easy is it to praise Him in a storm that you're going through? For me, sometimes not very easy. But I know He's there. And I know He'll take care of me. Imagine - "the maker of heaven and earth". What does that really mean? It means He is the CREATOR - he created heaven and he created the earth. So why do I sometimes doubt that He's powerful enough to take care of little-old-me? 1 person on this planet in the midst of so many other people, yet He hears each and every one of us - but do we choose to hear Him? He's big enough, yes; but in the midst of things we don't understand, are we willing?

-Kristin Hope