Happy New Year! I’m now six weeks from God’s miracle of a second lifesaving brain surgery and I’ve prayed about what to share with you. I’ve been unable to write a blog post for several months. Why?
I was again walking the valley of the shadow of death, for the second time.
I have so much to say. I’ll begin to share some details next week.
It is weighty, heavy in awe and wonder, in trembled humility, in utter praise of who God is.
But today, as 2024 brings neurological rehab work and many unknowns, this is the song He’s given to me. Perhaps He will encourage you in the depths of your valley today.
Crown Jesus Christ, our King…who is making all things new!
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5 ESV).
Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne…
(“Crown Him With Many Crowns,” Bridges, M., 1851)
Outside of time and space as we mere humans can comprehend, eternal and always existent God the Son, Alpha and Omega, right now seated at the right hand of God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ
gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever (Gal. 1:4-5 ESV, emphasis added)!
hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own…
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee…
yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Cor. 8:6 ESV).
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity!
Crown Jesus Christ, who loves us so deeply, as He carries us through our suffering
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand (Jn. 3:35 ESV).
In that love, Jesus came into earth’s suffering. We uniquely share in Christ’s sufferings (1 Pet. 4:13) as He intimately carries us through our pain, by the indwelling Holy Spirit. He’s helping us to die to ourselves, surrender to His care, take up our cross, and follow Him (Mt. 16:24). He knows it’s hard; He knows our every thought, emotion, and need as He carries us through our deepest anguish. He knows our hearts better than any human around us.
His tender voice of love, speaking through His Word, illuminated by His Spirit within, beckons us to come to the cross daily where His “making us new” love already made us new with a new heart (Ezek. 36:26). Now, His abiding love is forever at work within us, carrying us by reminding us of His finished work on the cross.
Sister in Christ, Jesus tangibly and actively loves us as He carries us through suffering.
Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified…
no angel in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his burning eye
at mysteries so bright.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Is. 43:19 ESV).
Crown Jesus Christ, the all-powerful and sovereign King who carries us through, into new
His reign shall know no end;
and round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22 ESV).
For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that [God the Father] is excepted who put all things in subjection under him (1 Cor. 15:27 ESV).
I will share some details of “my story” next week and more in bits throughout this coming year. It is miraculous. Crown Him! For it highlights His unfolding story of “all things,” of so many details aligning and coming to pass, abundantly more than we could ever have asked for or imagined.
Amid agonizing suffering, our loving Lord and King was making all things new.
I’m praying this brings you immense comfort and peace as you also cling to Jesus Christ amid your suffering.
Because it’s our King who carries us through, in steadfast and unending love and sufficient grace, all the way to the very end, providing all we need to endure anything on earth.
“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 (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV).
Crown Jesus Christ, Lord of love, our glorious Redeemer!
I know you’re suffering as we flip the calendar, or you wouldn’t be reading this. What lies ahead? Only our loving King knows! I’m still living with physical suffering and working through the trauma of all that’s happened.
But Christian sister, our Lord is carrying us both through by the work of the Spirit, continually making us new, unfolding His kingdom plan! And that plan?
It’s unfolding until we live with Him forever in the new heavens and earth, our glorious hope, when He will consummate the end of His story, fully “made new!”
Wonder of wonders!
So, today? As we suffer a little more on earth? This is our so-very-alive and reigning King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Crown him the Lord of years…
the Potentate of time…
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever (Rom. 11:36 ESV).
Creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime:
all hail, Redeemer, hail!
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1 ESV).
for thou hast died for me:
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.
Resources of Singing Christ’s Hope into suffering
Sister in Christ, are you dealing with earthly suffering too? I share to offer deepest hope to us, through Scripture and song. The songs are His gifts to me, ones to sing to Him into the horrific pain of suffering. With my music therapy background, His playlists also aim to help with physical and emotional pain.
He carries me through with the Scriptural songs, helping me trust Him into another hard day as I bring my real agony to Him and interrupt suffering with praise for what is simultaneously true.
It’s been over 30 years of this kind of lament, His way to carry me through.
This week’s playlist gift crowns Jesus, who carries us through. What lies ahead? His new! What hope, as we both suffer right now. Let’s bring it all to Him in sung prayer.
If this gift might bless you, I can send it in an email with my “walking alongside you” prayer and love.
See below for this, or any other resources of this nonprofit ministry.
For weekly prayer, music therapy-inspired Scriptural music playlist, and access to resource library:
2 Comments
Barbara Young · January 2, 2024 at 5:10 am
My daughter contracted Covid. She’s out of work again. Your work is upholding me. I trust you. We’ve been through the worst and He has kept us in victory. Praise God.
Lauri Hogle · January 2, 2024 at 4:33 pm
I’m so sorry, Barbara. My mama heart aches along with yours, knowing He’s carried you through so much and is doing the same right now. I’m so thankful the Scriptures and songs are helping. Praise God! Please tell her I’m praying for her. 🙏🏼❤️
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