My kids have just returned from a trip to their grandparents' house.
As incredible grandparents, they paid for ice cream, a trip to the arcade, and introduced them to new games. My kids returned with clean laundry, showered, and new skills - quite an accomplishment.
But my kids also returned with stories that my grandparents told them. My parents told them stories about their childhood and the kids' great-grandparents' lives. My kids got to visit the house where I grew up and learned many other stories about me, which I'm not sure I wanted them to know. Even though my parents shared some of my not-so-shining moments with them, my kids shared their excitement because they felt they knew me better.
Stories like these are the glue that binds us together. These stories are also the glue that can bind us to God. It's not an accident that Revelation 12:11 records a loud voice from heaven declaring, "For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony." Our stories have tremendous power in spiritual warfare and in building our faith.
@Mack Brock taps into the power of his story through his new song, "Time and Time Again." The song's chorus declares the faithfulness of God, which he has seen.
RELATED CONTENT: Mack Brock Affirms God’s Consistent Faithfulness on ‘Time and Time Again’
"You'll come through now like You did back then
Time and time and time again
Almighty fortress, my defense
Time and time and time again."
In releasing the song, Brock shared about the power of this particular tool to strengthen our trust in and dependence on God.
"Building our faith is a continuous journey, and one of the best tools we have is to look back at God's past faithfulness — in the Scriptures, in our own lives," Brock remarks. "It's a gift to remember God's faithfulness — to have countless stories to tell of His goodness in my life. Our God is forever faithful, and that's one of my absolute favorite things to sing about."
Brock's sentiments echo the words of the Psalmists. The Psalms include unfiltered questioning of and struggles with God. However, they also include bold declarations of faith in God, recounting the many ways that God's faithfulness led to the rescue of His people, the Israelites.
Brock sings about God being an "almighty fortress," just as the psalmist wrote in the opening section of Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." Later in Psalm 61, David echoes a similar cry, when he declares, "Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!"
Later, in the same song, Brock speaks about overwhelming difficulties in his past. He sings, "As the waters rise I'll lift up my eyes - To where my help's comin' from - 'Cause You're where my help's comin' from." Brock's lyrics in "Time and Time Again" immediately reminded me of the opening line of the Psalms of Ascent. Beginning in Psalm 121 and completing with Psalm 135, these psalms were sung by pilgrims as they traveled up to Jerusalem along a long and winding road.
Just as Brock lifted his eyes, the pilgrims would lift their eyes. "I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps."
Isn't that your story, too? Our help comes from the Lord. As the song goes, we've seen God show up in ways that strengthen and encourage us "time and time again." You may be facing intimidating obstacles and fear-inducing possibilities. But, just as you, Mack Brock, and David have done, you can recall your testimony and turn your eyes to the Lord. He will come through now just as He did back then!
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 newest project, The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
