In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1 ESV).
Sisters in Christ, as we flip the calendar to another new year, I’m pondering God’s creative work as we begin a new year. And our creative work as we suffer, perhaps a new beginning? You are invited to join me in this beautiful work of creating…into our suffering this year. Do His Word and songs lift your heart to glorify Him as we pray together?
In the beginning, Elohim created
God in three persons, blessed trinity,
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2 ESV).
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!
(“Fairest Lord Jesus,” anon., p. d.)
In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world (Heb. 1:2 ESV).
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him (Col. 1:15-16 ESV).
In the beginning, Elohim separated light from darkness
Triune God, You spoke Your word:
“’Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3 ESV)!
You saw that the light was good!
Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host…
And God separated the light from the darkness (Gen. 1:4 ESV).
In him was life, and the life was the light of men (Jn. 1:4 ESV).
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.
Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Fairest Lord Jesus, we glorify You in today’s darkness
Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Jesus, You are continuing Your work!
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness (Jn. 12:46 ESV)…
Son of God and Son of Man!
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3 ESV).
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn. 1:5 ESV)!
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col. 1:17 ESV).
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created (Rev. 4:11 ESV)!
Creator God, could creating beauty as we suffer be Your new way for us to shine Your light to others? Glorifying You in the process?
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)…
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made (Is. 43:7 ESV).
For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10 ESV)…
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Col. 1:12 ESV).
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Mt. 5:15-16 ESV).
Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Lord Jesus, may we each glorify You in this suffering. In Your beautiful name, amen.
A playlist gift to glorify our fairest Lord Jesus…and an invitation to my suffering sisters in Christ to join me in creating beauty as we both suffer
Would you like to join me in creating beauty in the ways He’s gifted you? As you suffer too? To glorify our fairest Lord Jesus? Would you like to encourage other suffering sisters in Christ from around the world, through our website? With any type of beauty that He’s given you to create? Visual, written, musical? Expressions that could encourage others in Christ?
Pray about it, email me if you’re interested! Many thousands of sisters in Christ would be encouraged as we both glorify our Lord together!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and for evermore be thine!
For me, it’s primarily through Scriptural music! This week’s playlist gift is one of glory and honor, praise, and adoration to our Lord Jesus, as it’s what my heart wants to express to Him as the New Year begins. If you’re not yet receiving our weekly playlist gifts to use during our shared sufferings, sign up below, and they will be sent to your email with my love and prayers, sister in Christ.
To read more of Lauri’s writing, you can use her devotional Bible study lament prayer journals: Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering, or Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character as We Suffer, or Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering. In the Valleys of God’s Love is written for children aged 3-8, a perfect read for grandparents, parents, and children to share together, preparing them for suffering to come.
For Scripture devotionals, calming hymns, and encouragement from Lauri, click here for YouTube channel
For those with chronic illness and pain, here’s a music therapy-inspired podcast of Scripture and hymns to help ease symptoms
