Start with Worship: Songs and Truths for the New Year

I don't know about you guys, but for me, there is something about worship songs that have the potential to really penetrate deep into my heart like few other modes of communication can do. Hearing  God's Truths set to beautiful music makes the walls around my heart and spirit fall down and enables me to take in His voice more than anything else can, except reading His Word itself. There are a few specific songs I've been listening to recently that I feel have wonderful messages for this season of us starting a New Year,and I wanted to share them, along with some Bible verses that correlate. I hope they will encourage and inspire each of you as we set out on a fresh new year.

Hillsong Young and Free, "III"

1. Highs and Lows, by Hillsong Young & Free

When it feels like the dark

Lingers longer than the night

When the shadows feel like giants

Are You chasing me down?

Tell me where could I run

From Your light, where could I hide

Hemmed within Your precious thoughts

There's no hiding from Your love

Highs and lows

Lord, You're with me either way it goes

Should I rise or should I fall

Even so
Lord your mercy is an even flow
You're too good to let me go

Of course we all hope to have a year that brings happiness and blessing; why else would we all cheer and shout "Happy New Year" at the stroke of midnight on January 1st? Ultimately, though, it doesn't matter what kind of a year this is: a "high" year filled with abundant blessings, growth, and happiness; or a "low" year riddled with pain, grief, and challenges. Either way, we can rest assured that God is with us--even full-on chasing us down when needed! Whether we rise to the occasion and see victory and success this year, or if we completely fall flat and fail in all the ways we care about most, God's mercy continues to flow evenly throughout our lives; He is so, so good; and He is not letting us go. What beautiful truths to cling to for any new year!

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,  for darkness is as light to you." ~Psalm 139:7-12

Lauren Daigle "Look Up Child"

2. Everything, by Lauren Daigle

Even the oceans push and pull at Your command

So You can still my heart with Your hand

You tell the seasons when it's time for them to turn

So I will trust You even when it hurts

You give me everything

You give me everything

You give me everything I need

You give me everything

You give me everything

You give me everything I need

When I can't see, You lead me

When I can't hear, You show me

When I can't stand, You carry me

When I'm lost, You will find me

When I'm weak, You are mighty

You are everything I need

God is the perfect Provider. He sees each and every need we have, from physical needs like food and shelter, to emotional needs like companionship and comfort, and He provides for each and every one. As we start this new year, maybe you are facing anxieties about God coming through for you, meeting your needs, and taking care of the myriad of things life on this earth requires. Let me assure you, we can rest on the truth that He will care for us as only He can, meeting each and every need we have (even the ones we ourselves may not realize we have).

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:31-34

The Belonging CO, "All the Earth"

3. Peace Be Still, by the Belonging Co

I don't want to be afraid

Every time I face the waves

I don't want to be afraid 

I don't want to be afraid

I don't want to fear the storm 

Just because I hear it roar

I don't want to fear the storm 

I don't want to fear the storm

Peace be still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea 

Till I'm dancing in the deep

Oh peace be still

You are here so it is well

Even when my eyes can't see 

I will trust the voice that speaks (peace)

Every year holds the chance that we will at very least be pushed outside of our comfort zones, and sometimes even face downright scary situations and storms. I love the reminder here of Who is in control of every storm and has the power and ability to calm each and every one, as well as the exhortation to not fear whatever storms or waves may be coming our way. I don't know about you, but I for one do not want to go into this New Year with fear holding me back.  Even when all we can see are the waves and storms of the year ahead, we can make the choice to trust the One who spoke peace, remembering that He is here, so all truly is well.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~Isaiah 41:10

Sanctus Real, "Changed"

4. Confidence, by Sanctus Real

I’m not a warrior

I’m too afraid to lose

I feel unqualified for what you’re calling me to

But Lord with your strength

I’ve got no excuse

'Cause broken people are exactly who you use

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den

Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness

Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense

So I can face my giants with confidence

That line about feeling unqualified for what God is calling me to do rings so very true for me this year. There is a lot that I feel God asking me to obey Him on this year that leaves me feeling completely at a loss for how to even begin to carry it out. Can anyone else relate to that? I think it's a pretty common scenario to feel called into things that are just not in the realm of possibility for us to accomplish ourselves. Ultimately, though, it won't be us fulfilling His callings; God uses broken people--US-- to do His work, and HE provides the strength and ability to carry it out.  Throughout His Word He gives examples of broken, weak, scared, sinful people being used by Him to do amazing things. We can have confidence that He will equip and enable us to do whatever He calls us to this year.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

Elevation Worship, "There is a Cloud"

5. Do It Again, by Elevation Worship

Walking around these walls

I thought by now they'd fall

But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come

Knowing the battle's won

For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands

Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness

I'm still in Your hands

This is my confidence, You've never failed me yet

I've seen You move, come move the mountains

And I believe, I'll see You do it again

You made a way, where there was no way

And I believe, I'll see You do it again

I think one of the biggest truths to hold onto as we set out on a New Year is to remember that God has never failed us yet. Think back on all of the New Years you've had up to this point, on all of the things God has done, on His faithfulness. How could He not continue that this year (and every New Year to come)? God promises to be faithful, to never leave us or forsake us, and to carry us through no matter what. When you start to doubt that He will be anything less than faithful, remind yourself of everything He's done up to this point, and believe that He will do it again.

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, God, are holy.

    What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

    you display your power among the peoples."
~Psalm 77:11-14

The beginning of a New Year is a unique season, and it holds a lot of different emotions: excitement, hope, eagerness...and sometimes fear, overwhelm, or dread. However you are starting this New Year, I hope listening to the songs above and taking in the truth of God's Word will give you renewed faith and perspective on living with and for Him this year.