There are songs that comfort, songs that challenge and then there are songs that remind us of the truth we already know. Those can at times be the most powerful because they are reminding us of things we hold dear but have long forgotten. And those truths are even sweeter when rediscovered because we have tasted them before.
One of the songs that has had a huge impact during the pandemic is "Way Maker," written by Sinach, a Nigerian worship singer. It is simple but profound because it reminds us that God will make a way, does preform miracles, keeps His promises and is light in this dark world.
I came to know this song through Michael W. Smith's cover of it and have also enjoyed Leeland's cover. I first heard it listening to Smith's weekly live worship concern on Saturday nights at 6 p.m. Eastern. If you haven't listened to it, I would encourage you to listen to the past live events and tune in for this coming week's worship time. It stopped me in my tracks and reminded me of who God is and what He promises to do for me.
But if you simply stop at being reminded, you will miss out on so much of what this song can do for you in your spiritual walk. Here is an exercise you can do on your own or with your small group virtually. Maybe even consider doing this with your church virtually or in person.
The key to this song is how it reminds us of 4 attributes of God: way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness. As you let those words wash over you, the next natural question is, "How is God those things?" Let's take a look:
Way Maker: The greatest declaration that Jesus makes about this attribute is in John 14:6 when He says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is comforting his disciples in this chapter and explaining what awaits them, but his disciples (specifically Thomas) have doubts. How will it actually work? It is in that moment that Jesus makes this powerful declaration and it becomes a promise for us to hold on to. Through Jesus and His sacrifice, we can always find our way to God and God in turn promises to make a way for us as we walk alongside Him with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Miracle Worker: Over and over again Jesus says to his disciples that they will work miracles just as He was doing. At the end of His life (Matt. 21:21) he says "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." Jesus worked miracles a examples to us of how the rules worked differently in the Kingdom. What is a miracle to us, is normative in God's Kingdom. So as we recognize His power to work miracles, we also must realize that as His children bringing in the Kingdom we have the opportunity to live by the same set of new rules.
Promise Keeper: Many times we waiver in our belief that what God promises will come true. We don't see the evidence of it in this world and we struggle to see the workings of the Kingdom. So we doubt. But Paul was very firm when he said in 2 Corinthians 1:20 "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." Jesus' death on the cross and His future return mean that every promise we can find in Scripture is "'Yes' in Christ!" What a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to us in times of trial, discouragement and frustration.
Light In the Darkness: There is a clear promise in the Bible that Jesus will overcome the powers of this world. He will defeat the darkness of pain, sorrow, anger, despair and separation from God with the light of His never-ending love. In John 1:4-5 Jesus is described this way, "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This attribute is the culmination of the 4:
Because He makes a way by His miraculous power and upholds every promise made by His Father in Heave, He can now be the light that drives away darkness!
So take these Scriptures about each attribute, and the many others that affirm these truths, and as you sing, lead people into a deeper understanding of who God is. Here are some thoughts on how to do that:
- Have people write down ways they have seen God display these attributes in their walk with Him.
- As the song plays, use the screen to show the verses that describe God in these ways.
- Listen to the song together and then have people share how they see these characteristics of God in the Bible.
- Lead a time of prayer during or after the song asking God to reveal these characteristics to you in a new and fresh way.
When a song represents a moment, like Way Maker does for this pandemic, don't miss the opportunity to lead people in worship and into God's Word in fresh and powerful ways. Remember that if the Holy Spirit is using this song, then it is our responsibility as leaders to utilize it as a resource to help the Church as they struggle to push beyond the world's way of thinking and grab hold of God's Kingdom.
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