You Carry Us
You say, ‘Come to me, you who are burdened,
Cast your cares on me’
Yet too easily I find the hurdles
I’m stumbling and dragging my feet to your side
Saying, ‘help me to see’:
Chorus:
You never tire or grow weary
You never falter or fall down
Strong and mighty is your mercy
You carry us like lambs within your arms
You carry us like lambs within your arms
Every splendid sun is given in mercy
Every star hangs on your word
And when you speak again with a joy that’s enduring
It echoes in every corner of earth
Saying, ‘Have we not heard?’
(Chorus)
Bridge:
O, those who wait on you renew their strength
Those who wait on you will renew their strength
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
O, the joy of the Lord is our strength
(Chorus)
Song notes:
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary… they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:28, 31
“The heavens declare the glory of God… Day to day pours out speech…There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard…In them he has set a tent for the sun, which…like a strong man, runs its course with joy.” Ps. 19:1-5 (excerpts)
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and…he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Heb. 1:1-3a
“Therefore…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” Heb. 12:1-2
I currently have two small children, which means opportunities for sleeplessness abound. Usually this also means opportunities to be grumpy and impatient also abound. One particular day I realized this acutely and had to step back and ask God to give me strength and help me look to him for endurance, and Is. 40 was especially relevant and comforting. I tend to see connections between different passages of scripture (perhaps too many?), and the connection between joy and strength in some of these verses struck me. I am sure there is more there than I currently see, but just reflecting on God’s creative power, tirelessness and joy have strengthened me. I would encourage you to look up the scriptures I mention below and consider these things.
See all of Is. 40, Ps. 19, Mt. 11:28, 1 Pet. 5:7, Neh. 8:10, Heb. 1:1-3; 12:1-3, Lam. 3:23ff
See also Orthodoxy, by G.K. Chesterton (Like a child saying, “do it again!”, God has never tired of saying to the sun, “do it again!”)