September is the new January.
A new school year begins. Enrollment in weight loss programs increases. Gym memberships spike. Wedding season ramps up, with only October exceeding September for the number of ceremonies. Searches for career development go up. People cook at home more and focus more on budgeting. According to one study, most employees set new goals for the remainder of the year.
With the new season energy coming in hot, a new song offers a spiritual lens on this mindset. Elevation Worship recently released a song entitled "New Thing Coming," which includes appearances from Tiffany Hudson and Steven Furtick. The live video for the song includes a raucous crowd responding to the music's infectious energy and its faith-filled lyrics.
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The song's chorus reflects a hopeful and defiant attitude under challenging circumstances.
"Darkness bow down to the day
Mountains get up out my way
Breaking out of yesterday
I got a new thing coming"
The entire song includes references to well-known passages of Scripture about the power of faith and the enduring pattern of God's miraculous movement in the world. The opening verse of "New Thing Coming" draws on the words of Luke in Acts 2:2, describing the events of Pentecost: "On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting."
Later in the song, the chorus referenced speaking to "a giant in my face." This language echoes the famous battle between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, where David replied to the giant's taunt of him and God. "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."
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In the chorus where we saw the hopeful and defiant attitude earlier, Elevation Worship pulls from Jesus' instructions to His disciples in Mark 11, where he told them to "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours." I wouldn't be surprised if you can feel the faith-filled energy in the live video through the screen as you watch it.
Finally, "New Thing Coming" builds to its peak in the first of two bridges. Elevation Worship sings, "I can see a cloud heavy with rain - And it looks like revival's headed our way." As I listened to this section of the song, my mind immediately went to 1 Kings 18, after God had sent fire from heaven to validate His glory at the request of Elijah. After years of drought due to the prophet's command, Elijah told his servant to look at the horizon for a cloud. After six failed attempts, Elijah told him to go and look again. "Finally the seventh time, his servant told him' 'I saw a little cloud about the size of a man's hand rising from the sea.' Then Elijah shouted 'Hurry to Ahab and tell him 'Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don't hurry, the rain will stop you.'"
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Elevation Worship intends to inspire a new expression of faith and expectation in their listeners through "New Thing Coming." At the same time, they draw on ancient stories and reminders of the source of this confidence. All too often, inspiring speakers and emotional music can create positive energy in our hearts and motivate us to action. These sources of motivation often sputter out quickly when they are human in their origin. Sustaining faith and expectation in the face of adversity and opposition can only happen when our hope is rooted in the faithfulness and power of God.
I'm grateful that Elevation Worship recognizes this truth and draws on so many Biblical references to move listeners beyond hype to hope and from mere emotion to reasonable faith in the pattern of the prophets and the apostles. If you're facing giants, droughts, or disappointment, listening to "New Thing Coming" and the Bible verses that undergird it might just encourage your soul.
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps people transform difficult circumstances into places where they can thrive. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and loves watching movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s life-changing project, The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
