I Don’t Have The Words

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

I don’t have the words. I have discovered this is something I utter when I know I must be experiencing something far beyond what language can capture.

I don’t have words when one says there is enough clean water for all mankind, and yet there isn’t, simply because some of its citizens don’t have the tools to obtain it. I don’t have the words when thousands upon thousands are murdered for worshiping the true God, who deserves more than all the praise, glory, and honor one could ever give Him.

I don’t have words when my friend breaks a bone or tells of a traumatic experience. I don’t have words when I hear of abuse and little ones left to fend for themselves. I don’t have words when I hear of insurmountable pain being shown in those around me by diseases, disabilities, racism, and when natural disasters threaten the lives of hundreds of souls.

I don’t have the words when I can’t be with my loved ones…friends and family alike. I don’t have words when God seems to give for a season and take away for another. I don’t know why there are memories frozen in time, never to be seen or accessed again.

I don’t know why I must grieve.

But,

I also don’t have words when God answers a prayer. I don’t have words when God makes known to me that He sees me and knows my needs. I don’t have words when I see how God has placed me at the right places at the right times for my good and for His glory.

I don’t have words when I am looking at a sunset or the morning sun shining on the dew to make it sparkle. I don’t have the words when I laugh in awe and wonder at God’s creation, His goodness, and love for me. My spirit mourns within me…..and yet, I hear it.

In the distance, I hear a slow, low rumble of…delight? No. Victory. Yes, victory! God’s victorious laugh seems to almost echo and bounce with excitement as He takes the victory over all the tragedies and joys in my life I have no words for. In my mind’s eye, I can practically see Him dancing and leaping through the high mountains in my life – declaring victory over every dark word and deed Satan as ever tried to put against me and God’s holy church to distract us from worshipping the God of glory (Psalm 121:1-2).*

Yes, my friends, victory. Jesus’ victory is over this messed-up, sideways, forward and backward world in which we live (do you ever feel like the world can be all these directions at once?).

My friends, this is where we must fix our gaze. When you don’t have the words and your heart grieves for something more, fix your gaze upon the One who sees and knows all the answers. God has given us everything we need for this life in His Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we take refuge. He is the One we can stand firmly upon as our Rock and Chief Cornerstone. God, our Father, is the One who leads and guides us in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. The Holy Spirit is the one who communicates to the Trinity on our behalf and speaks God’s spoken Word into our hearts (may they be praised forever).

Oh, my friends…”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!” Rejoice because He is King. Rejoice because you are His child; your name is written in His book of life! He will not abandon you to the realm of the dead (“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name…” Psalm 103:1).

"And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.'" Revelation 21:6-8 

Alyssa Rasor

*Read Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard