Lament and Hope: How Two Songs Hit Me

I won't go into the details out of respect for privacy, but I'll say as much; two events this past week got me thinking hard on how much stock I really put in my belief in a God who is good. There are times when it comes so easy to affirm that He is good, that I admittedly take it for granted.

And then there are times when things happen. While these two events did not happen to me personally, they did happen to people that I care very deeply about. They happened to people that I love. I absolutely cannot know or comprehend the deeper grief and pain that my friends are experiencing- I just want that to be clear, because the last thing I would want this post to be seen as is trite or anything negative like that. Rather, I just felt compelled to echo how the power of song and lyric when in line with God's word can pack the most beautiful punch of encouragement. Even if the touch lasts only for the 3 or 4 minutes of the tune's duration, the inexpressible peace lingers longer.

So, here are the two songs that have helped. Interestingly enough they are both by the same artist, and they follow one another in succession on the same album. The first I found to portray the times when things are not going well, and yet in some way hope is still expressed, much like David wrote to God in the Psalms in the midst of life and death peril. I read somewhere that this song was written about the late Johnny Cash at a point when he had given up and decided to end his life (he didn't suceed, and the lyrics speak of being given a "second life").

The second song I feel, characterizes hope. It starts out somewhat quiet and small, yet builds with each verse to a beautiful proclamation in the chorus. I guess that's all I'll say about them.

Links are below for the lyrics, and if you have the means, I'd recommend downloading the tracks soon. If not for now, perhaps for a day when some hope is exactly what you need. If you don't have the means I will gladly gift them to you via iTunes. You've probably heard them or of them before, but nontheless...

The songs are Mat Kearney's Won't Back Down, and Breathe In Breathe Out.


"When all is lost, All is left to gain."