“What’s been life-giving for you in this season?”
My mind went blank. I wanted to give an upbeat, encouraging answer, but my brain kept glitching, snagging on the bone-weary exhaustion that characterized my day-to-day. Could I describe anything as life-giving right now?
There are times when the abundance of your life—your family, home, work, community, etc.—feels like the extravagant blessing that it is.
But there are other seasons when it feels like too much. Like you’re trying to faithfully steward a hundred millstones as they’re dragging you under, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of needs.
In his mercy, the Lord had me reading of the Israelites’ wildness wandering as I trudged through this kind of too much season. It’s not hard to imagine that many in this desert throng also felt a version of my overwhelm, and yet, what stands out in the text is how God repeatedly revealed his character and his care for his people as they journeyed towards the Promised Land.
Though this time is fraught with unmet expectations, disastrous idolatry, and terrible doubts and disobedience on the part of the Israelites, God steadfastly provided everything his people needed for their spiritual and physical preservation, forming them into a nation ready to enter the good place he had prepared for them.
While this provision doesn’t make the trials any easier, it does remind us to watch for and notice where God is showing up amid our own times of challenge and to respond appropriately with praise rather than complaint.
When we’re stressed, it can be easy to look inward and dwell on everything that is hard, scary, sad, frustrating, and/or exhausting about our lives. Praise, however, moves us out of ourselves and towards the Lord and it does so whether we feel like praising or not.
The word “hallelujah” is Hebrew for “praise the Lord.” While we often think of it as a shout of joy, “hallelujah” is no less meaningful when we whisper, whimper, or even sigh the word as we endure our trials. A “hallelujah” invites us to reorient our hearts, guiding us to remember and seek comfort in the steadfastness of who God is rather than in the changeable circumstances of our lives. It’s the world’s shortest sermon about the character of God.
“Hallelujah” reminds us that we praise the Lord at all times and in all places because he is worthy. God’s holiness and goodness are not situational. He is always for us and with us. He keeps his promises and remembers his people. God loves us and desires our flourishing. With a simple “hallelujah,” we affirm all these things and encourage our hearts to settle in this truth even as the circumstance of our lives threaten to overwhelm us.
When it feels nearly impossible to name even one thing that is life-giving, look to the one who is literally giving you life and breathe a “hallelujah.” By his grace, we are enabled to endure the hard seasons, faithfully putting one foot in front of the other as we move toward the Promised Land. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord.
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When life feels heavy, a simple “Hallelujah” can make all the difference.
Hallelujah, by Danielle Hitchen, teaches little ones key Hebrew words from the Bible and helps them place important biblical events in proper order.
Did you know that an overwhelming majority of the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew? This beautiful and ancient language enriches our understanding of Scripture and deepens our love for Elohim, our Creator and Judge.
As the latest offering in the innovative Baby Believer® series, this vibrant board book introduces children to 10 essential Hebrew words from the Bible—their written appearance, definition, and pronunciation—and familiarizes little ones with the timeline of major events in God’s Word from creation to Revelation.
Learn more about the book and how to purchase here. Look for more books in the Baby Believer® series at babybeliever.com.
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