I Raise a Hallelujah

 I Raise a Hallelujah- We sang this song in church yesterday. There is a very personal story that comes to mind every time I hear and sing this song. I imagine that it will always come to my mind every time I hear it. I've told this deeply personal story to I believe 3 people in the world. Yesterday, while singing it, I felt the Lord nudging me to share it. What good is a God story that you never share. My hands tremble as I type it because of the emotions and vulnerability involved in this story. Have you ever fallen on your literal face before an Almighty God begging him for His help in your most desperate time of need? I have. 

December 2021, my brother, Daniel, was in a very dark place. Things were coming to a climax. Family and close friends were praying, and stress levels were very high. One morning in December, I received a text in the 4am hour. This was it. The literal moment of life or death. I don't really have the words to describe how it feels to be in such an intense, peak crisis of life and death with someone you love. (I'm obviously not the only one to have experienced it.) It's overwhelming fear. 

I hit the floor on my face begging my Heavenly Father to save Daniel's life. This was not time for him to go. Not in this spiritually dark place. I prayed. I begged. And you'll only have to believe me....but God gave me a peace in that moment that is beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7) and something that I will NEVER forget. I knew in that moment that Daniel was not going to die that day. And His peace was so real to me that I began to sing: "I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies. I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief. I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me. I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm. Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar. Up from the ashes, hope will arise. Death is defeated, the King is alive! I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me. I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee. I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery. I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!......

This song was not on my favorite songs list. But as Holy Spirit overwhelmed me with His peace and presence, this is the song that just came out of me. Daniel did not die that day. Daniel had some serious growing in His faith to do, that did take place over the next several months. That period of growth gives me peace to this very day. 

This story isn't about Daniel. This story isn't about me. I fail God all the time, but He never fails me. This story is about an Almighty God who is personal, real, who hears our prayers, who loves His children, who gives unexplainable peace. There's no one greater. 

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18

"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." Psalm 73:28