Review: Finding God in the Hard Times: Choosing to Trust and Hope When You Can't See the Way

Finding God in the Hard Times: Choosing to Trust and Hope When You Can't See the Way by Matt Redman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Matt and Beth Redman's mix in personal struggles, stories of close friends and historical Christian figures with Scripture as they walk through the various stanzas of the song they composed titled "Blessed be your name." It was only when I was through two thirds of the book that I recognised that the content was very similar - I had actually read the previous edition (titled Blessed be your name by Regal Books). The Redmans write simply and authentically; you can be rest assured there are no mighty theological terms that would require you to look up a dictionary. As suffering and difficult times is no discriminator of persons, this tiny little book therefore is an ideal gift for people who do not usually pick up books to read.

I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Bethany House Division Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.

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Redman on worship leaders

It's all too easy for what was once a pure act of the abundance of the heart to become more of a performance when we're on stage in front of others. We need to guard against elements of performance creeping in when we're leading people before the heavenly throne. God has enough beauty, majesty and glory to inspire us for all eternity, so we don't really need the worship leader trying to impress us or hype up some praise. In fact, it's an offence to distract attention from God, and people usually know in their hearts when they has happened. Worship leaders must point as sensitively as possible to the Lord and never to themselves.

I often define good worship leaders as those who lead strongly enough so that people follow but not so strongly they they themselves become the focus. If you think about it, worship leaders who end up with a whole lot of attention aren't actually very good at their job.

From Pages 47-48 of

The Unquenchable Worshipper

Redman on asking God for healing

...we are not bargaining with God. It is not a case of 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" -- or, in other words, "I'll call You Savior if You agree to heal me." Instead we are proclaiming Him for who He is and then falling upon His mercy and good judgment. In His infinite wisdom and kindness, God may well purpose to bring us healing. But perhaps we will have to wait awhile to see our situation changed. Or perhaps we will never be healed this side of heaven. And if we are not, God hasn't become any less wise or merciful. Indeed, one day we may well realize for ourselves just how merciful and wise He was in without a healing. We are entirely in the hands of His great mercy and wisdom.

From Page 41 of

Blessed Be Your Name