Hello to you on this Wednesday!  It’s been a while since I’ve put out a Wednesday Is for Worship, but I’m excited about getting back into the groove.  I’m always blessed by the songs featured here, and I pray that you are too.

Today I want to share with you a song that is so encouraging.  We undoubtedly live in times of trouble and face instability all around us locally, nationally, and internationally.  Furthermore, wickedness abounds.  There is plenty to be fearful of, but today’s song reminds us that those who are Jesus Christ’s ultimately have nothing to fear.  I’m talking about “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies).”

Written in 2012 by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Scott Cash and published through Worship Together Music, “Whom Shall I Fear” is the first single released in 2012 from Chris Tomlin’s seventh studio album called “Burning Lights.”  Both the song and the album have hit #1 on the Christian music charts.  It’s so easy to see why!

The first verse reminds us that God never turns a deaf ear to us, His children, even in times of darkness.  His light always breaks through.  The second verse declares the victory and protection that is ours through God.  The final verse rejoices in God being our strength, our savior, our deliverer, and the victorious one.

Each verse ends with the ever-relevant question, “Whom shall I fear?”  which draws from the biblical context of Psalm 27 where David asks that very question.  The intended answer, of course, is nobody but God.  The reason is spelled out in the chorus.  The God of Angel Armies envelopes us before and behind; the God of angel armies in all of His sovereignty is a friend to us, on our side, and always by our side.  That’s an awesome, encouraging reality!

The bridge rehearses the fear-stifling realities of the impossibility of defeat.  No weapon formed against us will stand because God has the whole world in His hands.  He has promised to protect us and is faithful to His promises.

The songs seems to draw heavily on themes from Psalm 27, but Tomlin points to the story in 2 Kings 6:8-23 as the core biblical inspiration of the song.  It really is a must-read passage!  There the king of Aram was bent on capturing the prophet Elisha because he kept prophetically telling the king of Israel where to fortify against Aramean attack.  The Aramean king sent his army to the city where Elisha was and surrounded it.  When Elisha’s servant saw the army, he became fearful, but Elijah comforted him, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them,” (2 Kings 6:16).  Surely the servant was like, “Uhmm, Bro. Elisha, there’s nobody with us but us!”  So, Elisha then prayed to the Lord to reveal to the servant all of God’s angel army that actually surrounded and outnumbered the Aramean army.  It was an awesome sight to behold and had the effect killing the servant’s fear.

Friends, that God in the story of Elisha is the same God we serve today.  He is still the God of Angel Armies, the Lord of Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts.  In light of this awesome reality, may you fear no one or no thing but God!

I invite you to sing along with Chris as you worship our Almighty God!

VERSE 1
You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear?

VERSE 2
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though trouble linger still
Whom shall I fear?

CHORUS
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side

VERSE 3
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?

BRIDGE
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful

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You can hear Chris Tomlin tell the story behind the song, perform the song, and demonstrate how to play the song at https://worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=1975092.