We asked some of our musicians to tell us about the worship songs they like and why. In this first post, Leanne talks about choosing songs and why she introduced ‘Forever’ by Kari Jobe to the playlist for our Sunday gatherings and other events.
Before I began to lead sung worship I had been a backing vocalist for a long time in previous churches but in all that time I had never appreciated what thought goes into the actual choosing of songs. That a worship leader might choose songs deliberately to compliment the message in the preach, lead the congregation in a specific direction or area of worship and so on had simply never crossed my mind!
Praying through what will be preached and considering how God, through me, can encourage, challenge and inspire the congregation has been one of my favourite aspects of this role.
Every so often we choose to introduce a new song to keep the song list fresh and varied. Sometimes a song is chosen because it brings a message so appropriate for the preaching series. However, sometimes you come across such a good song it is worth introducing anyway!
‘Forever’ by Kari Jobe is one of those songs and we introduced it just before the summer. Never mind its fantastic melody and soaring chorus; the lyrics are wonderful, poetic and full of the truth of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and when he rose from the dead.
To reflect on the enormity of what Jesus endured on the cross is crucial for us as Christians. It is too easy to hear the news of grace, of a free gift of love and forgiveness and forget the price Jesus had to pay for that gift. Having known eternal closeness to the Father, “heaven looked away” as Jesus was “laid in darkness”. His blood was literally “poured out for us” and he carried the full weight of our sin on himself.
But through the tragedy of the cross, comes triumph. “His perfect love could not be overcome.” He suffered the weight of rejection from the Father so that we never have to. That’s why we sing “Now death, where is your sting?” What a wonderful proclamation! Death is defeated, Jesus has risen from the dead. “He is alive” and is forever glorified and lifted high.
I can’t help but feel this song echoes the end of a powerful song from Philippians 2:9-11 which says:
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lyrics
The moon and stars they wept
The morning sun was dead
The saviour of the world was fallen
His body on the cross
His blood poured out for us
The weight of every curse upon him
One final breath he gave
As heaven looked away
The son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken
The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting?
Our resurrected King
Has rendered you defeated
Forever he is glorified
Forever he is lifted high
Forever he is risen
He is alive! He is alive!
We sing allelujah
We sing allelujah
We sing allelujah
The lamb has overcome
If you play an instrument (including singing) and would be interested in joining our music team, contact Leanne.
You can read our other music blog posts, and also listen to our full playlist of songs on Spotify and YouTube.