Worship Song of the Month (Oct): Lion and the Lamb

by Jade Broadley

What has been the worship song on your heart this month? (October)

Lion and the Lamb - Leeland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ujBoud26k

Lyrics:

Verse 1

He's coming on the clouds, kings and kingdoms will bow down

And every chain will break, as broken hearts declare His praise

Who can stop the Lord Almighty?

Chorus 

Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah

He's roaring with power and fighting our battles

And every knee will bow before You

Our God is the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain

For the sin of the world, His blood breaks the chains

And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb

Oh every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb

Verse 2

So open up the gates, make way before the King of kings

Our God who calls the saved is here to set the captives free

Who can stop the Lord Almighty?

Why is this song meaningful to you?

I first heard this song in a huge arena in Nashville (maybe that’s partly why I love it so much!) A worship leader shared about how he had played this song when he was really struggling after his brother was involved in a serious accident, and it was uncertain if he would recover. During those moments, he admitted that he didn’t know if he still believed in God, and certainly didn’t feel like singing about God’s goodness amidst the tragedy. But instead of relying on His own thoughts and feelings, he chose to trust in what God had said through scripture.

“This song is about our Savior, Jesus, who overcame the grave. It's about submitting all of ourselves to Him and His goodness and allowing His blood to cover us and run through our veins. That's how we can "overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."- Leeland Mooring

Although I haven't struggled with such extreme doubts, there have certainly been moments where I have wondered about the goodness of God. Trying to make sense of my past, and especially those moments where I wandered far from God and really caused harm to myself and others. It has caused me not to ask the question was He there? but rather, is He good? When I'm questioning, and my thoughts and emotions can be all over the place, songs like this one lead me back to scripture where I am reminded of God's goodness and all of His promises. That yes He is good, yes He is faithful, and yes I am His.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:10-11

Are there any particular lines of the song which strike you?

The title of the song itself ‘Lion and the Lamb’, already strikes me in revealing the wondrous and amazing nature of God; that He is both gentle and mighty, and always on our side. The idea of God being both a Lion and a Lamb is actually incredible when you think about it - that He has the power to create with one word, or change any situation with one command. Yet, at the same time, He desires to be with us so badly that He laid down His life for us and became the lamb that was slain. He is both the mighty roaring lion, and the gentle, approachable lamb. He is absolutely everything that we need.

“It's an amazing picture of how we tremble at His power and might and glory, and at the same time He is tender like a Lamb. It is amazing that He is both to us, for us and with us.” – Leeland Mooring  

Another particular line in the song that really stands out to me is: “He’s roaring with power and fighting our battles.” Woah - what a reminder (that I continually need) - that our God isn’t a passive God. He is alive and actively fighting for us every day. Even when our culture seems so dark and against us, we have the King of Heaven on our side, so there is nothing to fear! When I look back on my own faith journey the only conclusion that I can draw from where God has brought me from and led me to is that He has always been fighting for me. His ferocious love was the very thing that brought me into existence, came down into the pit of my life, and showed me another way of living. Truly, who can stop the Lord Almighty?.

"They will follow the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west." - Hosea 11:10

Are there any scriptural passages that you think of when listening to this song?

One of my all-time favourite passages in scripture that I’m reminded of through this song is about the woman with a haemorrhage, who was instantly healed after simply touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5: 25-34, Luke: 43-48). The part that always gets to me though is how she had been desperately seeking healing for 12 years. 12 whole years. I wonder how often during those years she wondered about God, and why He wasn’t fighting for her healing, as many of us do during our own personal struggles. Then boom - one day, one touch, and she was healed. All of that fighting, all of the struggle, all of the pain and shame, redeemed in one single encounter with Jesus Christ in her small, relatively unknown village.

At the Walsingham festival this summer, this passage was read during the healing service. Whilst I've been to many of these services before, each one is always so beautiful and unique; because Jesus is alive and moving in our midst. Something that stood out to me this year was the incredible faith that this woman must have had to have kept going for all of those years, and keep trusting in God’s goodness and mercy for her, despite not knowing if her circumstance would change. Jesus was her only hope, and when she had the courage to reach out and touch His cloak, 

"Jesus turned, and seeing her said - Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." 

It was HER faith in Him that healed her. Jesus longed to heal her, but waited for HER to reach out and touch Him – that simple act of her faith was the biggest miracle needed to cure her.

When the road seems ridiculously long without answers or a solution and it seems like things will never change, or perhaps takes you to places you never could have imagined, we just have to keep reaching out for the hem of Jesus' cloak, one moment at a time. We have to keep trusting that in God's timing, He will reveal a plan for us that will be the most fulfilling journey we can ever make.

Who would you recommend this song to?

I would really recommend this song to anyone who’s been waiting for God to speak into an area of their life for a while. Maybe into a relationship that feels hopeless, or into a habit or way of thinking that’s really difficult to change. God wants to share His heart with you, and to let you know that He is fighting for you. He is on your side. Don’t lose hope!

Are there any similar songs on this theme that you would recommend?

On this theme, another current favourite worship song is ‘Confident’ by Steffany Gretzinger. There’s a brilliant line in it that declares; “I won’t win this battle with the strength of my own hands.” How often do I need this reminder!!

Prayer to end on:

Dear Lord,

Let us never forget your infinite strength coupled with your unfailing tenderness and love. 

The Lion and the Lamb; You powerfully overcome and comfort us through every battle we face; and we surrender all our current doubts, struggles and fears to you. 

You alone are worthy of all praise and glory – and we will never stop trusting in Your goodness and plans for us.

elp us to stay close to You in the darkest of days, and shine your light onto us to give us strength. 

Nurture our trust and hope in you, and let us love you more with each passing day.

Amen