There’s something about being present in creation that brings us into contact with God’s transcendence, where we really know how far beyond us God truly is.
In the midst of the chaos of 2020, our family took a long road trip to visit friends in Montana. We got to experience the wonder of Glacier National Park for the first time.
One evening at sunset, I went paddleboarding on the largest lake in the park. As I sat on my board in the middle of water that seemed as smooth as glass, surrounded by absolute silence, I felt God’s loving presence surrounding me. I realized an important truth which spoke directly to a challenge I was facing in my work. I’m not sure whether God actually spoke to me, but what I realized that day was exactly the clarity I needed. I left the water and returned to our friend’s trailer, praising God and overwhelmed by His grandeur.
It’s that kind of transcendence and power which Chris Tomlin helps us engage in his popular song, "Holy Forever."
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If you’re unfamiliar with the song, the chorus crescendos with these lyrics.
“And the angels cry, Holy
All creation cries, Holy
You are lifted high, Holy
Holy forever.”
The song “Holy Forever” offers three unique elements to our modern worship library.
First, the song reminds us of God’s transcendence. In an interview with The Christian Post, Tomlin talked about where this song fits in his massive library and within the world of worship music today. He described two types of worship styles – “transcendence” and “deliverance.”
"There are songs of deliverance, which when it comes to worship, those are the songs of rescue like 'Lord, I need You, rescue me, I need your grace,' Tomlin described. 'We need those songs. Then there are those other songs of transcendence. There's nothing about me in the deal; it’s just taking our eyes off ourselves and just [switch focus] onto the glory of God.”
"Think about 'Amazing Grace,' an incredible hymn of deliverance. Then think about 'Holy, Holy, Holy,' an incredible hymn of 'Oh, wow, I just got to get on my face,"
If you’ve had an encounter with God’s transcendence, then you know exactly what Tomlin is describing. You realize just how big God is and how small you are, how holy God is and how unholy you are.
Like Isaiah in Isaiah 6 when he saw a vision of the throne room of God, we cry “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
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An encounter with God’s transcendence reveals just how unworthy we are of God’s love and mercy. I’m so grateful that Tomlin sought to write a transcendent song which helps us to ensure that we remember how unlike us God truly is.
Second, “Holy Forever” invites us to engage in something which is far bigger than us - eternal worship. In the same interview with The Christian Post mentioned earlier, Tomlin talked about how transcendence connects us to eternity when it comes to worship.
"I just tried to capture a piece of Heaven in this song that never ends, this eternal song. What's amazing is that there is an eternal song and we know the lyrics. It’s 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.' That's what the Bible says throughout, and in Revelation, it says, 'Day and night, they never stopped saying it,'' he echoed."
Tomlin is referring to Revelation 4 where the worship of God is eternal and unending because of His worthiness and transcendence. The song “Holy Forever” is an invitation to join in that song which has been sung and will be sung for all eternity. How amazing is it to be able to say you’re joining in a song that was being sung before you drew your first breath and will continue to be sung long after you draw your last one?!
Third, Tomlin invites us to remember God’s faithfulness in the middle of our failure. In speaking to Air1 in 2022, Tomlin talked about how he loves “reminding people that we serve a God who is faithful, even if we’re faithless. He is faithful to us. He’s an Always God.”
The album, and this principle, comes from one of Tomlin's favorite Bible verses found in 2 Timothy 2:13. “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” I affirm Tomlin’s love for this verse and I can remember reading it as a teenager struggling to figure out my faith. I found comfort in this promise.
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If it were up to me and I was personalizing this verse, it would read, “when Scott is unfaithful, God remains faithful, for God cannot deny who he is.” It’s not a matter of if we will be unfaithful; it’s a matter of when will we next be unfaithful. The reminder of this song is something our souls need.
“If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb”
So, if you need a reminder of God’s transcendence in your life, I want to encourage to get into God’s creation. Stargaze, hike, or get out on the water. Put your phone away and get alone, or get with people who will help you connect with God, not distract you from God.
Be quiet before God - really listen for His still, small voice. Read Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4. Listen to the song “Holy Forever” and meditate on the bigness and holiness of God.
When you do, may you find your heart reset and your viewpoints recalibrated in light of the glory, majesty, and transcendence of God.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer, and yes he does have the best last name ever. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the proud parents of three children. He loves helping hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
