Recently, while waiting to be transported to the Operating Room at Kelowna General Hospital, I found myself sitting quietly, looking at the person I most love in this world, and listening to worship songs. Janice and I had talked at length, we were both in a good place and the music I was listening to brought a measure of calm to my spirit.
At one point I listened to Don Moen’s rendition of the great hymn, ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and the words of the psalmist came to mind: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Michael W. Smith sang, Draw me close to you, never let me go, followed by ‘My Redeemer is Faithful and True’ by Steven Curtis Chapman, and then Kristen Getty singing, Still, my soul, be still and do not fear, God is at your side. When that song ended it was time to be moved to the OR.
The nurse who was taking me, commented, “you don’t seem anxious” and asked if I had any concerns. I could honestly say I was at peace about the surgery and was just concerned for Janice; waiting is sometimes the hardest part of such a journey.
I am grateful for the excellent care I received from the staff at KGH. The first night was rough but once the pain was under control I was able to rest. On that second night, I put my earbuds in and pulled up the playlist I was listening to earlier. The songs brought to mind the words of Scripture and even though I was ‘half asleep’ I was caught up in a wonderful worship experience.
You’re all I want, You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want, help me know You are near (Draw Me Closer – Michael W. Smith)
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God. (Psalm 73:28)
All that I long for is found in Your heart
You are everything I need (You Are Everything – Brian Doerksen)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
I remember hearing the words of the worship chorus we sometimes sing at Valley, He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today (He Is Able – Rory Noland) and the words of the Apostle Paul came to mind: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think… to Him be glory. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
What a good God You’ve been to me
Your goodness and Your grace, everyday I see
What loving God You’ve been, what a faithful God You’ve been
What good God You’ve been to me (What a Good God You’ve Been – Tommy Walker)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
Still, my soul, be still and do not fear, God is at your side
God, You are my God and I will trust in You and not be shaken
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you…in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4)
My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 63:5-6)
As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
And in every situation, He has proved His love to me
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me
(My Redeemer Is Faithful and True - Steven Curtis Chapman)
You will find peace and rest when you…depend on me. You will receive the strength you need when you stay calm and trust in me. (Isaiah 30:15)
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:1)
This is what the Lord says--
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
You are precious and honored in my sight…I love you.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. (Isaiah 43:1,4-5)
I found out the next night that at one point, I was singing along with Steven Curtis Chapman:
My Redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My Redeemer is faithful and true
One of the nurses said I had perfect pitch! I think she was just being kind!
It was truly an unusual worship experience in which the power of song and the truth of God’s Word ministered to me in a wonderful way, bringing rest to my body and soul—a gift from my good and gracious God.
I know, you too, have had your own unique worship experiences, a song or text that spoke to you at a particular time in your journey. I invite you to share your experience via a response to this posting.
At one point I listened to Don Moen’s rendition of the great hymn, ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and the words of the psalmist came to mind: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Michael W. Smith sang, Draw me close to you, never let me go, followed by ‘My Redeemer is Faithful and True’ by Steven Curtis Chapman, and then Kristen Getty singing, Still, my soul, be still and do not fear, God is at your side. When that song ended it was time to be moved to the OR.
The nurse who was taking me, commented, “you don’t seem anxious” and asked if I had any concerns. I could honestly say I was at peace about the surgery and was just concerned for Janice; waiting is sometimes the hardest part of such a journey.
I am grateful for the excellent care I received from the staff at KGH. The first night was rough but once the pain was under control I was able to rest. On that second night, I put my earbuds in and pulled up the playlist I was listening to earlier. The songs brought to mind the words of Scripture and even though I was ‘half asleep’ I was caught up in a wonderful worship experience.
You’re all I want, You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want, help me know You are near (Draw Me Closer – Michael W. Smith)
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God. (Psalm 73:28)
All that I long for is found in Your heart
You are everything I need (You Are Everything – Brian Doerksen)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
I remember hearing the words of the worship chorus we sometimes sing at Valley, He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today (He Is Able – Rory Noland) and the words of the Apostle Paul came to mind: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think… to Him be glory. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
What a good God You’ve been to me
Your goodness and Your grace, everyday I see
What loving God You’ve been, what a faithful God You’ve been
What good God You’ve been to me (What a Good God You’ve Been – Tommy Walker)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
Still, my soul, be still and do not fear, God is at your side
God, You are my God and I will trust in You and not be shaken
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you…in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4)
My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 63:5-6)
As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
And in every situation, He has proved His love to me
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me
(My Redeemer Is Faithful and True - Steven Curtis Chapman)
You will find peace and rest when you…depend on me. You will receive the strength you need when you stay calm and trust in me. (Isaiah 30:15)
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:1)
This is what the Lord says--
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
You are precious and honored in my sight…I love you.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. (Isaiah 43:1,4-5)
I found out the next night that at one point, I was singing along with Steven Curtis Chapman:
My Redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said He will do
And every morning His mercies are new
My Redeemer is faithful and true
One of the nurses said I had perfect pitch! I think she was just being kind!
It was truly an unusual worship experience in which the power of song and the truth of God’s Word ministered to me in a wonderful way, bringing rest to my body and soul—a gift from my good and gracious God.
I know, you too, have had your own unique worship experiences, a song or text that spoke to you at a particular time in your journey. I invite you to share your experience via a response to this posting.
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