Rise

It has been a number of years since Danny Gokey appeared on the television talent show American Idol. It was there that we saw him (already a worship leader in his local church) break out of his shell. Although he did not win the competition, it gave him enough exposure that he has been able to record and release several great Christian hits.

I love that he has remained true to his faith and his music reflects it. One of the great songs that he has recently released is called “Rise”. It is an encouraging power ballad that speaks of the power that we have as believers to rise above our past and indeed put it behind us. Take a listen to the song and sing along to the video below and then continue reading to see what Bible passage popped into my mind as I sang along.

Isaiah 43:18 – Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 

Isaiah 43:25 – I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 65:17 – For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Ezekiel 11:19 – And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Romans 8:1 – [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Philippians 3:13 – Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How wonderful is it that we are not only saved from certain death by faith in Christ, but we are promised that we can have an abundant life here in earth (John 10:10), leaving the past behind and looking forward to life everlasting (Philippians 3:12-14).

So Rise
Breaking the dark, piercing the night
You’re made to shine
An army of hope
Bringing the world
A radiant light
A radiant light
You were made to rise, rise

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Image credit: iTunes