Music Monday - 20100419

Every Christian has times of struggle, times of "walking through the valley", were it feels like you are far from God.  Not because He is allowing you to feel like He has "wandered off", but because of a sin (any sin) you struggle with.  For me, i struggle with anger, i have struggled with porn, and many other things.  The past month or so i have really been struggling with doubt and worry.

When it is a sin that we continue to fight with over and over again, discouragement can find a way in.  Doubt, questioning, etc.  I am constantly reminded that God is not surprised by my on-going struggles.  When He saw me before time and layed down the plan of salvation, He saw every sin i would ever commit.  Not just the ones i overcome, but even the ones that continue to plague me.  It is times like this i feel that God allowed Paul lto experience his own struggles, so that it may encourage me today:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, ESV)

How many times have we read about the fall of a Nationaly recognized Christian leader?  How many times have i struggled with pride over how well i feel when i am following God, or in some other accomplishment?  Instead of acknowledging what God has done, i take credit for the deed.  So, to some degree, i take solice in the struggles i expreience.  Not to leave them alone and never resist them though.  I am encouraged because i am seeing them, that i know what Christ has already done, and what He is doing.  But when i heard my song for today on the radio, it felt like i was singing the song.

Undo
by Rush of Fools

I've been here before
Now, here I am again
Standing at the door
Praying You'll let me back in

To label me
A prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface
Of who I've been known to be

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one
Who can undo what I've become

I focused on the score
But I could never win
Trying to ignore
A life of hiding my sin

To label me
A hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface
Of who I've been known to be

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one
Who can undo what I've become

Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one who can undo
You are the only one who can undo
You're the only one who can undo
What I've become

I am so incredibly thankful that God does not leave me where i am, that He does not forsake me, and that when i want to give up, He is still there to lead me on.  I am grateful that He is indeed working to transform me into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30).

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phillipians 1:6, ESV)

Praise God for His incredible kindness and mercy.