Sovereign Over Us

24 hours before I left for Senegal, I was skyping with a friend as I checked in for my flight online (more like attempting to check in. Turns out if you're flying a South African Air flight operated by United, and then connecting to an actual South African Air flight, you can't check in online. anyway). She recommended some new tunes for the ride, Aaron Keyes' album, Dwell, which I love. Those of you who have been around the blog since October or so, know that the concept of the Lord being our dwelling place has been very strong in my life these past 10 months. It's no surprise that Psalm 91 has been significant as well. Now to get back on topic...

I was listening to "Sovereign Over Us" and taking in the lyrics and was deeply moved by their truth. 

V1
There is strength within the sorrow, There is beauty in our tears
You meet us in our mourning, With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting, Sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding, You’re teaching us to trust

CHORUS
Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
Faithful forever, Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

V2
You are wisdom unimagined, Who could understand your ways
Reigning high above the heavens, Reaching down in endless grace
Youʼre the Lifter of the lowly, Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me, Your promises are my delight

BR
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and for your glory
Even in the valley You are faithful
Youʼre working for our good, Youʼre working for our good and for your glory

And because you all know that I love to highlight good songwriting, in case you missed it, Keyes just wrote a song in which he discusses sanctification, while using a form of the actual word. That's not exactly the most poetic word on the planet. 

But then I found this really great video of him singing the song in a precursor to his 2012 album, The Living Room



I love this video because of the authentic worship it showcases. It's a raw community, bound by grace, to rejoice in the victory of our Savior. It's a private-public moment: one that captures both the intimacy and personal relationship we have with Christ, while uniting the body of believers as we lift up one voice. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.