Even If...

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -- John 14:18

I cannot think of too many things that are worse than a child growing up all alone. No one there to love them. No one there to guide them or discipline them. No one there to encourage them or show them that they are special. The orphan is in direct contrast to the father heart of God.

Have you ever felt that way? Alone? On an island of fear without anyone there to encourage or guide you? I have. It’s not fun. Sometimes in this game of life, a curveball gets tossed my way. Some unexpected situation pops up that I do not know how to handle. I get scared. I doubt myself. Uncertainty creeps in. This even happens in my spiritual life from time to time. Lord, are you even there? Have you left me all alone to handle this situation where I have no idea what to do?

But he has not left us as orphans. No. He is with us. He died, he rose again, his Spirit is with us, and he is coming back. We are not alone. We have Jesus. And what better person to have on your side? No matter what we are going through—no matter what life throws at us—we have Jesus and His spirit to guide us. He will lift us up out of the mess that we are in. We can trust Him. We can lean on Him. We can go to Him whenever we feel like it. He has made each and every one of us with intentionality. We have a purpose. He has given us a vision and a call, and that’s good news. Our job here at Forerunner is to make sure that our families know who God truly is, what he has done for us, and what he will continue to do for his people. That is why I praise him today.

You lifted me up, up out of the dirt. You have washed me with kindness and with the love in Your words. You renew the fire, of love and desire that I carried at first.

You gave me a sound Lord, only I can release. A voice in the earth, that you call me to be. So I will not let fear, pain, or regret steal the song I was born to sing.

Even if my heart should break. Even if I am still afraid. I will rise up and I’ll praise you all the more. Even when I feel defeat, I will live from victory. I will rise up and praise you all the more.

You’re making me stronger. You’re making me bold. You’re igniting my spirit with the flame of Your words until joy like a river is running deep within me and breaks out wild and free.

No matter what mountains I face. Nothing is going to silence my praise to you God.

I will praise you with all I have.