All you have to do is watch the evening news – or pull it up on your phone throughout the day – and panic can set in about the stability of our future and this country.
War, disease, and an increasingly challenging economy can make anyone feel uncertain, anxious, or fearful about their future.
Yet, in all forms, worship can reset our hearts and minds on things above (Colossians 3:2) and remind us that this earth is not our home (John 15:19). Ephesians 5:18-19 commands us to be “filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord” not only as our witness in this world but as our survival during darkness. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that reinforce God’s unchanging love and faithfulness, His sovereign power over all creation, and His ability to help us overcome, can build our faith during days when dread for the future might otherwise consume us.
Whether they’re psalms set to music, old hymns are making a comeback, or newer songs that are particularly relevant to what is happening today, here are some worship songs to build your faith when the future looks unclear.
The Solid Rock
Initially composed by William Bradbury more than 160 years ago, this classic hymn has seen several re-arrangements through the years. However, its original lyrics by Edward Mote still ring true today and provide comfort during these ever-changing times.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
This song reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).
We need that reminder that He is our rock, not our roller coaster, our immovable, ever-dependable Rock of Refuge during these uncertain, ever-changing times.
Great is Thy Faithfulness
With lyrics by Thomas Chisholm, this old hymn reminds us of God’s faithfulness from everlasting to everlasting. Based on Lamentations 3:22-23, this song reassures us that “His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
What a comfort it is to know that, according to this worship song:
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
In an uncertain economy that is sure to get worse before it gets better, we can have confidence as we praise Him for His constant faithfulness and sing:
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
Great is They faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
Battle Belongs
Proverbs 21:31 tells us: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”
Kristi Foss, a longtime worship leader currently serving at Thrive Church in Central California, said: “A lot of songs are about overcoming a battle. Because of COVID and other situations, people are either dropping out of church or finding their faith is something they need to really get serious about.” Because of this, she’s seeing a resurgence in people’s faith and a desire to worship God for Who He is and all He can do.
“A lot of the newer songs today are not as cliché. Worship songs are taking a deeper route now. I think that’s because of what 2020 did. There were a lot of songs that came out about fear and hope and that God’s in control.”
One of the newer songs her congregation is holding onto is Battle Belongs, released in 2020 by Phil Wickham, which encourages us with these lyrics:
When all I see is the battle, You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me
There’s nothing to fear now, for I am safe with You
So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah
For Jesus, there’s nothing impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty
Thank You, God
When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb
Almighty fortress, You go before us
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
You shine in the shadow; You win every battle
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
Never Walk Alone
Constant encouragement to believers is Hebrews 13:5, where we are told that God says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.” Hillsong’s Never Walk Alone by Ben Fielding, Hannah Hobbs, and Jenn Johnson reminds us of this promise of God’s to never leave us, that we have an inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6; Ephesians 1;11-14), and that He is our strength and shield (Psalm 28:7).
The chorus builds our confidence with these words:
I have never walked alone
I’ve never been abandoned
You are my inheritance
You are my strength and shield
And I have confidence
You go before me
You’re my deliverer
I know I never walk alone
The song praises God for His faithfulness, that He’s strong and able, and that He’s our providence. It also contains this reminder:
Every hour
Every minute
You have always been there
You are faithful
And You always will be
In every triumph
Every failure
You are loyal to me
You are faithful
And You always will be
As much as we don’t want to believe it, we must realize that the world will never be perfect. However, it’s comforting to know that God and these uplifting hymns will always be there to calm and support us.
