Songs Of Deliverance Actually Work!
Yesterday, I was battling low-grade anxiety for most of the day. Nothing crippling, just nagging thoughts that tired me out and led to poopy emotions.
I arrived home about thirty minutes before we were expecting company, and my wife asked how I was doing. I was honest.
“Let’s worship the LORD,” she suggested. (I love my wife!)
I walked to our keyboard and began. I went old school. 80’s old school!
You are exalted, Lord, above all else.
We place You in the highest place, above all else.
Right now, where we stand, and everywhere we go.
We place You in the highest place so the world will know,
You are a mighty warrior dressed in armor of light,
Crushing the deeds of darkness lead us on in the fight.
Through the blood of Jesus, victorious we stand.
We place You in the highest place above all else in this land.
Then…
Mighty warrior, dressed for battle, holy Lord of all is He.
Commander in chief, bring us to attention
Lead us into battle to crush the enemy.
Jesus has all authority here in this place
He has all authority here.
For this habitation was fashioned for the Lord’s presence,
All authority here.
I followed those up with Battle Belongs, Tremble, Cuando Estoy En Tu Presencia (a song our church wrote), No Longer Slaves, Do It Again…
What had oppressed me lifted. Exalting Jesus renewed my mind, sifted the atmosphere, and even strengthened my body.
It was the reality of Psalm 32:7 in action! “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.”
But it didn’t happen in five minutes. It took some time, some pressing in, some stamina and decisiveness. I wasn’t striving, but I was determined and desperate.
It’s funny how Jesus’ invitation for intimacy and surrender often feels more like crushing than warm fuzzies.
As musicians and worship leaders, we have the tremendous blessing of taking our instruments and lifting our hearts and voices to the LORD in songs that deliver us.
And you’re allowed to change the lyrics of the songs to fit the moment. I was being a little silly, but I was also being honest and personalized when I changed the chorus of Battle Belongs from:
So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
To
So when I fight, I’ll fight on my keys
With my hands playing ivories
(I neither rhymed nor fit rhythmically, but…whatever)
My encouragement is to not wait until we feel “under it” but rather begin our days, interrupt our work, and fill our free moments singing those songs of deliverance. I’m convinced they actually work and that this practice will strengthen us and cause us to endure so we can bear the significant fruit that glorifies Jesus!
I made a Spotify playlist for you: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4NgX1rvQuBWYI9132O9kZy?si=d7b8b33b1eaa4139
And here’s the song my church wrote: https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/059ggL35WBjhktcdbfPyAV1xA#Cuando_Estoy_En_Tu_Presencia_
Above All Else by Kirk and Deby Dearman ©1988 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Mighty Warrior by Debbye Graafsma ©1983 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Battle Belongs by Phil Wickham and Brian Johnson ©2021 Phil Wickham Music
-Dave Helmuth
(purchase my book, "Worship Fertilizer: (the first hundred)" HERE)
Songs Of Deliverance Actually Work! (Nº 399)
