Here are some songs I’ve picked which explore God’s faithfulness and purpose in uncertain times. They are not ones we currently sing at church but they explore the theme in a variety of ways and really encourage me as I sing along.
‘Goodness of God’ by Bethel Music
This has echoes of Psalm 23’s: ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life’ with the line:
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.
I love that idea – that God is running after us to show us his goodness and faithfulness. He’s not distant. He’s not just a Father who waits for us, he runs towards us!
‘O this God’ by Matt Redman
I like this song for the strength of it’s declaration and resolve to keep looking at God in the midst of trials:
We won’t fear the night, we are looking straight ahead.
Never turning back, counting on Your faithfulness.
It’s also not just about keeping your head down and holding on, it’s about shining even more brightly when things get darker:
We are going to shine,
Now we are going to shine for You.
‘Praise You in the Storm‘ by Casting Crowns
Lots of Christian music can be cliched and insipid but Casting Crowns are rarely either. If you’ve not heard much of their stuff, the albums ‘Lifesong’ and ‘Altar and the door’ are a good place to start.
This song, as usual, expresses raw emotion and brutal honesty with lines such as:
As the thunder rolls, I barely hear you whisper through the rain “I’m with you”.
And as your mercy falls, I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
The middle 8 section echoes Psalm 121 with the lyrics:
I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
‘Is He Worthy?’ by Chris Tomlin
Following on from Neil’s sermon based on Romans 8 last Sunday, this song echoes many of the chapter’s themes and reminds us that though our world is so broken, God has revealed his plan to make all things new in his time:
Is all creation groaning? It is.
Is a new creation coming? It is.
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? It is.
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? It is.
There’s also that brilliant declaration that Jesus is the only one worthy to bring about God’s new kingdom and here’s an amazing thought – we are going to reign with him on the renewed earth! If that doesn’t bring you hope and confidence, I’m not sure what will. Come Lord Jesus!
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From ev’ry people and tribe, ev’ry nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is, He is!
I hope these songs encourage you to keep singing and showing the goodness and faithfulness of God this week, even as we live in the midst of an unprecedented situation. He is always faithful.
