In the shadows I’ll sing – {Lent}

It would have been easy to join in, to get excited at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Everyone would have been participating, shouting out accolades, receiving Jesus as King. What a parade, what joy. Yet within the week we know that it all changed. The crowd worked up again into a frenzy this time though to cry crucify him and not hosannas. Friends, followers turning against Him and fleeing themselves. Hope dissipated, reality seemingly too much to refute.

It’s easy to cast aspersions on that crowd. How fickle, short-sighted of them and how very ignorant and weak. To go from rejoicing and praising Jesus to calling for His crucifixion. How could they turn on Him?

But there lies in this Holy Week a challenge for us, a question. It’s so easy on bright sunny days to rejoice in God, to praise Him, to worship. But what about those dark days? Those dark days when faith wavers when confronted by your reality. Your Saviour is dead on a tree, buried in a tomb. Hope gone. Dreams dead in the tomb with Him. Resurrection seems impossible, a wishful thought. In these times though, we can still worship. We can still proclaim Hosanna in the Highest!

And we can move through the shadows of the week, the darkness of Good Friday to the light and hope of Resurrection Sunday! In those hard days while tears may fall, we will find strength through our Lord to let our song, our praise rise to Jesus, King of Kings.

Though the tears may fall, my song will rise
My song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail, my song will rise
My song will rise to You
While there’s breath in my lungs
I will praise You Lord

In the dead of night, I’ll lift my eyes
I’ll lift my eyes to You
Though the waters rise, I’ll lift my eyes
I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there’s hope in this heart
I will praise You Lord

The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength

When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You Lord

How You shine with glory, Lord of light
I feel alive with You
Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You Lord