Hard Fought Hallelujah

"Hard Fought Hallelujah" by Brandon Lake is a powerful anthem that resonates with the human experience of struggle, faith, and the unwavering grace of God. It echoes the sentiments found in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." The song is a testament to the fact that even in our darkest moments, when we feel like we're wrestling with the darkness, God is there, patient and gracious, ready to lift us up.

The lyrics, "Yeah, I don't always feel it, But that's when I need it the most, So I'm-ma keep on singing, ‘Til my soul catches up with my song," remind us of the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" Even when we don't feel God's presence, even when we're in the midst of the storm, His grace is sufficient. We keep singing, we keep praising, because our faith isn't dependent on our feelings, but on the unchanging nature of God.

The song also beautifully captures the essence of 1 Peter 1:7, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold." The lyrics, "‘Cause faith isn't proven like gold ‘Til it's been through the fire," remind us that our faith is refined and strengthened in the crucible of trials and tribulations. It's in these moments that we learn to lift our hands a little higher, to praise a little louder, to lean into God's grace a little more.

The chorus, "I'll bring my hard-fought heartfelt Been-through-hell hallelujah, I'll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail Story-to-tell hallelujah, God, You've been patient, God, You've been gracious, Faithful whatever I'm feeling or facing, I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt It-is-well hallelujah," is a declaration of faith and trust in God's faithfulness. It echoes the sentiments of Job in Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." No matter what we're going through, no matter how hard the fight, we can still bring our hallelujah, our praise, to God, because He is faithful.

As we reflect on this song and the corresponding scriptures, let's ask ourselves this: How can we, like the psalmist, the apostle Paul, and Job, continue to bring our hard-fought, heartfelt hallelujahs to God, even in the midst of our struggles? How can we use our trials as opportunities to deepen our faith and trust in God's faithfulness and grace? How can we let our souls catch up with our songs, and let our faith be made perfect in our weakness?