Reflection #2 on "Blessed Be Your Name" by Newsboys feat. Rebecca St. James  [song lyrics]

• originally released by solidsounds.org, 03/09/2004
• author: Suzy C.
• scripture reference: Matthew 4:1

	From the album "Devotion" (2004) Read the song lyrics...

What was the first thing Jesus did for us? He walked through the wilderness.

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1 NKJV).

Have you ever been in a wilderness? A place so completely foreign that you are not sure how to accomplish even the simplest tasks? My first mission trip was like that. I went to Nicaragua. I had been to other countries before, but never to a third world country. Everything was just different enough to cause me to feel disoriented.

We worked with a group of young people, and had a great time evangelizing and distributing Bibles. It was a life-changing experience. As we got ready to leave, those of us who had come from the U.S. decided to thank our young friends by making a meal for them.

My job was to make my mom's specialty for dessert, fried apples. Well, we didn't have electricity, so we used a propane burner, which also had to be used to cook the fried chicken, and the potatoes, and of course, beans and rice. We had very few pots, no seasoning, and a huge container of vegetable oil about the size of a gasoline can. Well, at mealtime some things were burnt, others underdone. The apples came out okay, but not quiet like Mom's. But everyone had a great time.

My point is that I was in unfamiliar territory. I think it is so telling of the compassion of the Lord that the first aspect of His ministry was to walk through the kind of tough places that we sometimes find ourselves in. He personally faced hunger, and thirst, and the tempter himself. Jesus had nothing to prove; He didn't need to do this for Himself. He did it for the same reason He did everything else. He did it for us.

The group Tree63 sings a new version of the song "Blessed Be Your Name." It is an awesome reminder that no matter what we find ourselves facing, God deserves to be honored and praised. So, if you are feeling a bit disoriented, if you think you may be in a wilderness, turn on Tree63. Listen close or sing along. But whatever you do, wherever your life road takes you, bless His name! He's been down it before, and He will see you through!

--Suzy C.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1