For Every Mountain

Yesterday, the choir & orchestra at church led us to throne of Glory (as they do each week).  They did one of my favorite songs...one that causes me allergy attacks and that won't let me sit still & keep my hands under control...one that I'd love to be sung at my funeral one day.

I've heard the song several times before.  It rocks me every single time, for it takes me deep into the depths of my soul & my theology, while at the same time greatly magnifying God and His gracious goodness to me in so many ways.

Before sharing the lyrics with you, a simple question: what are you thankful for?

My own typical answer is "that's easy! (followed by a list of pleasant things like spouses, parents, jobs, pets, friends, Fall leaves, football,...)"  You know, Fun & Pleasing things.  Which I *am* OH-so thankful for!

But what about the trials?  What about the mountains that stood in your path?  What about the valleys that sprawled before you?  What about those times your world was totally rocked & you looked up in total despair, wondering why & how? 

Why are we not typically thankful for those? 
(Answer: because we're human!  And thus, we forget.  One of my very favorite names of God in Scripture is "Jehovah Shammah"...basically, "The Lord Who is Present"; that's what I need to remember more often.)

With that said, here are the lyrics to Kurt Carr's "For Every Mountain."

I've got so much to thank God for
So many wonderful blessings
and so many open doors

A brand new mercy
along with each new day
That's why I praise You
and for this I give You praise

For waking me up this morning
(That's why I praise You)
For starting me on my way
(That's why I praise You)
For letting me see the sunshine of a brand new day(that's why I praise You)

A brand new mercy
along with each new day
That's why I praise You
and for this, I give You praise

You're Jehovah Jireh
(That's why I praise You)
You've been my Provider
(That's why I praise You)
You see so many times You´ve met my needs
So many times You rescued me
(That's why I praise You)

I want to thank You for the blessing
You give to me each day
That's why I praise You
For this I give You praise

For every mountain You brought me over
For every trial you've seen me through
For every blessing
Hallelujah, for this I give You praise.

My challenge to myself every time I hear this song is to be thankful for the mountains He's brought me over... be thankful for the trials...and, of course, for the light, pleasant blessings too.  I challenge myself--and you too!--to not miss the huge blessings of God during the dark times.  When things happen like cancer...loss...illness...death...struggle... For God is NO LESS GOOD in those times than in the pleasant times.  Perhaps one day, I'll remember this; until then, I'm thankful to the TBC choir & orchestra for the reminder yesterday morning.

Click => here to see the always-amazing Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir perform "For Every Mountain."  It's about 6:24 long.  Enjoy!
bb

p.s. - as it turns out, it's rather difficult for the Powerpoint guy to click the last few slides when the choir is performing this song...seems streaming tears block out a clear view of the computer screen.  Or so I hear.  *blushing smile*