Shepherd Those in the Darkest Valley with Hymns

Grace and her mother

　　In times when we are in the darkest valley and human words can no longer comfort us, hymns can be a means of turning our hearts and minds to God, helping us to express our deepest longing to Him and to pray to Him.

　　Nine years ago, my mother became seriously ill and was too weak to continue treatment. While resting in her hospital bed, she asked us to play the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” As we worshipped our Heavenly Father together, my mother—despite her intense physical pain—immediately sensed God’s presence. Her heart was filled with hope. Just a few days later, God called her home to heaven. During my time of grief, I continually experienced God’s comfort through Laura Story’s hymn “Blessings.” Here are some lines from the hymn that deeply moved me:

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.
And when darkness seems to win,
we know the pain reminds this heart
that this is not, this is not our home.
And what if trials of this life,
the rain, the storms, the hardest nights,
are Your mercies in disguise?

These lyrics gave me insight into eternity and reminded me that the Lord is in control and I must choose to trust Him because He loves me and my family. God never gives us challenges for which He has not already prepared us.

　　I am sure many others have had such experiences. God offers us help, peace, and comfort through hymns. I once sang a hymn to a brother in Christ who was suffering from dementia. Even though his brain was failing, the hymn I sang at that time did awaken that seemingly “disappearing” brother. I have experienced the power of hymns many times. I thank the Lord for blessing us with hymns that draw us near to Him and enable us to worship Him genuinely from the depth of our hearts and souls.