Stay Still

By now, those of you who have followed my blog know that I am inspired by various types of faith-based songs. Sometimes it is simply the music which stirs my soul, but at other times, it is the words alone. And then there are the ultimately spiritual times when both music and words cause me to raise my hands in praise to God for they bring about a praise in my spirit!!

“Defender” is another one of those songs which talks to my soul and spirit. Sung by Francesca Battistelli, the song’s concept comes from Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you. All you have to do is keep still."

Rita Springer was one of the lyricists: "There's so much in our culture that says we need to be on the go all of the time. Even in the church, we think we need to always be doing something. God values hard work and we should serve others. But, there's also something to the idea of being still and surrendering to God. I trust Him to fight this battle in my life. There have been many times where I've needed to do that in my life."

Battistelli recalls the moment when she heard the song for the first time, "When Rita sang the words 'All I did was praise, all I did was worship,' it hit me like a ton of bricks. The idea that all we have to do is stay still while He fights our battles? I had always known it intellectually, but that was the first time I knew it in my spirit. There is something so special about this song, and I'm honored to sing it. I hope you can worship and reflect on the God that loves you so endlessly, knows you so fully, and is your great Defender!”

“Defender” (click title to hear song) Lyrics by Rita Springer

Performed by Francesca Battistelli & Steffany Gretzinger

You go before I know

That You've gone to win my war

You come back with the head of my enemy

You come back and You call it my victory

You go before I know

That You've even gone to win my war

Your love becomes my greatest defense

It leads me from the dry wilderness

And all I did was praise

All I did was worship

All I did was bow down

All I did was stay still

Hallelujah, You have saved me

So much better Your way

Hallelujah, great Defender

So much better Your way

You know before I do

Where my heart can seek to find Your truth

Your mercy is the shade I'm living in

And You restore my faith and hope again

And all I did was praise

All I did was worship

All I did was bow down

All I did was stay still, stay still

Hallelujah, You have saved me

So much better Your way

Hallelujah, great Defender

So much better Your way

When I thought I lost me

You knew where I left me

You reintroduced me to Your love

You picked up all my pieces

Put me back together

You are the defender of my heart

Hallelujah, You have saved me

So much better this way

Hallelujah, great Defender

So much better Your way

So much better Your way

So much better Your way

And all I did was praise

All I need to do is worship

Lord I will just bow down

I'm just gonna stay still

Powerful song at this moment in our lives. God did not cause the Coronavirus, and He has not left us because of it. He went to war against it before we even knew He would. And all we do/have done is praise, worship, bow down, and STAY STILL. Haven’t we all heard that “STAY STILL” phrase/scripture several times since the virus began? And here it is again! God knows what we continually need to hear and do. God’s ways/thoughts are soooo much better than our ways/thoughts. He will give us the victory!

“Lord I will just bow down; I'm just gonna stay still”. Instead of wishing/wanting to be busy again, hear Rita Springer’s statement: “There's also something to the idea of being still and surrendering to God. I trust Him to fight this battle in my life.” We don’t have to be in the safety of our homes to do this. Those on the front lines, and those who have to be away from home can do this at any time, anywhere!

Father, I pray for the people of this world who are/have been touched by the Coronavirus or the effects of it. There are so many people who cannot work through no fault of their own; they are hungry; they have children to feed - provide for them, Father. There are others who are alone with no one to communicate with - provide for them, Father. There are those who have become “teachers” in their homes - provide for them, Father. There are so many more. Show them that your love is their defense, reintroduce them to Your love, restore their faith and hope again, and be the defender of their hearts.

Thank you, Father!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel