A Hard Fought Hallelujah
Saturday’s Verses:
From 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
To me, there’s something honest—raw even—in Brandon Lake’s song “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” It’s not a polished song of praise. It’s not a mountaintop moment. It’s a valley-floor kind of song. Scraped together between tears, doubts, and prayers that sometimes don’t make sense, let alone feel answered.
And yet, it’s there. This hard-fought hallelujah. It’s real because it’s not hiding anything. It’s not pretending. It’s in the middle of the pain that a real hallelujah is spoken.
As Lutherans, we believe that faith does not exempt us from suffering. In fact, for Luther, the cross was at the center of the Christian life. In his theology of the cross, Luther (and we) are taught that the God of the Bible does not first meet us in glory. He meets us in the broken places. Jesus was crowned not with gold, but with thorns.
This is why Hard Fought Hallelujah matters. It’s the honest confession of a believer who’s been around the block a time or two. Been there, done that, have nothing to prove—except cling to Christ. Not because it’s easy. But because He is still faithful—even when our grip is weak.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul describes being afflicted, perplexed, and struck down—but not destroyed. Why? Because even in our breaking, we have the life of Jesus in us. This is the mysterious beauty of Christian suffering. We get to bear weakness and failure because in our weakness, Christ is strong.
So if your hallelujah today is cracked and bruised, don’t let go. God does not despise your weak praise. He receives it. The angels do not just revel in our loud stadium songs. They lean in just as much—maybe more—to hear the quiet ones sung through tears.
This is grace. You don’t have to fake it. You don’t have to put up a happy front. A hard-fought hallelujah is still a hallelujah. And it’s enough.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You know what it means to suffer. You wept, bled, and were forsaken—so that I never would be. Teach me to praise You not just when it’s easy, but when it costs something. Receive my hallelujah even when it’s weak. Because even then, You are worthy. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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