Once Again I Thank You

"When the prophet Isaiah foretold of Jerusalem's coming restoration, he likened its condition to a barren woman. He told the Israelites to sing in the face of it. He said, "Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child!" (Is. 54:1) This is how we should respond to unanswered prayer or to the barren or unfruitful situation in our own lives. We are to sing praise to the One who can bring to life the places in us and our situations that are dead. The One who can birth something new in us and our circumstances. The One who hears our prayers and answers in His way and His time."

While we are waiting on the Lord, even if we are discouraged or all hope for our situation seems dead, we can press into God more and more in worship and praise, and release His resurrection life to flow in us.

"At first the thought of singing in the face of terrible disappointment may seem like a cruel thing to ask of someone. But the very act of singing praise and worship to God releases His blessings to us. When we become discouraged or defeated over unanswered prayer, we can turn our sorrow into joy through singing praise. When we do, heavy chains of despair are broken. When we sing, we indicate that our faith and focus are in God's goodness and power and not in our circumstances."

"We are not worshiping God to obtain His blessings. That's not really worshiping God; that's worshiping the blessings. But whenever we fully acknowledge who God is and worship Him as such, our praise unleashes the blessings that are with Him and in Him and because of Him. Praise brings us into the presence of God and invites His presence to dwell in us in a deeper way. And in His presence it is impossible not to be blessed."

— Stormie Omartian, The Prayer That Changes Everything: The Hidden Power of Praising God

Remember what the Lord has done for us on the cross?

"Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." (Is. 53:4-5)

We can always thank God for His mercy and unfailing love for us!

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Is. 54:10)

"Once again I look upon the cross where You died, I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside.Once again I thank You. Once again I pour out my life." ("Once again", by Matt Redman)