Sometimes, certain Christian music can land on my spirit in a way that shows me how close the Lord and His Spirit are to me. A song that focuses on the character of God and His love for me transcends past my self-protected shield and targets the softest places in my heart. Does this happen to you too?

Yesterday on social media, a national speaker recommended a song. My curiosity took me to “I Love the Lord.” Sung by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, their soulful style pierces the depths of me, cuts through my shame and guilt, and affirms my love for the Lord. Praise His Name.

The song was written in the 17th century by Isaac Watts. And when I wonder about that era of time, what was going on then, I conclude, as Solomon says, “Nothing new is under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That means nothing is new, nothing. Woeful human nature has existed all this time, and Isaac proclaimed that he loved the Lord.

The test of the Christian life is loving the Lord through the challenging times. Each challenge can purify our hearts and make us more like Jesus, or we allow bitterness to creep in and like a tarnished, silver spoon, become unusable and dull.

If we long to be faithful to God, we learn through it all to love Him, and not the outcome of our problems. We let Him mold us. We keep fellowship with Him using spiritual disciplines. These practices draw us near to Him. We grow in Christlikeness when we realize our need for Him is far greater than our plea at the time. His love, character, and faithfulness help us in our weakness and temptation.

We learn as Habakkuk proclaimed in his suffering, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18).

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As I continue through all the bumps and bruises of life, the unexpected disappointments, the spider webs in my face situations that I can’t get rid of, I realize I still love the Lord. I have learned that loving the Lord is no longer my challenge but is my solution to everything.

I LOVE THE LORD

I love you, Lord; you heard my cries,
and pitied every groan;
Long as I live, when troubles rise,
I’ll hasten to your throne.

I love you, Lord; you bow your ear;
you’re ever good and just.
Then let my heart feel no despair!
Your power has all my trust.

If you behold me sore distressed,
you bid my pains remove;
I’ll turn my soul to you, my rest,
and witness to your love.

Isaac Watts 1719

I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1-2

©Valerie Rumfelt

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