He Gives and Takes Away?


One major reason I shied away from Christianity during my youth was outdated-sounding Christian music heard on the radio and at roller rinks. Fortunately, there's now a greater variety of Christian music I enjoy. I’ve grown to appreciate modern worship music. That’s one of the things that inspired me to launch an Internet radio station.

 Unfortunately. there are modern worship songs with religious lyrics. Some may quote Scripture but taken out of context. One of which is “Blessed Be Your Name”, written by Matt & Beth Redman and recorded by a variety of Christian artists. I would like this song better if these lyrics weren’t included…

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

How many times have we heard Job 1:21 quoted to explain away tragedies such as the death of a child? “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away” is not a statement of truth but a comment Job made in ignorance. John 10:10 says that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy but Jesus came “…that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  

God doesn’t want to take away things dear to us such as young family members. What He will take away (if we allow Him to) are poverty, sickness and most importantly all our sins. For that I will truly bless the name of the Lord.

“And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: ‘Stand up and bless the Lord your God Forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!’” - Nehemiah 9:5

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