I want to share with you a quick personal testimony and song devotional inspired by an experience I had with God at the Tori Kelly concert last week through her song “High Water.” I believe what God spoke to me and did in my heart is not just for me, but for you too. Usually, I write most of my song devotionals over at NewReleaseToday but it’s been a while since I’ve included a song in a Faith, Arts & Culture piece here on my blog, and I’m excited to share more with you about the hope and encouragement God has for you and me through the trials we face.
How God Met Me At A Tori Kelly Concert
If you’ve known me for more than 30 seconds you know Tori is my favorite artist. I’ve been a fan for years and I have so much respect for her music and for her faith in Jesus that we both share, and it’s been years since I’ve been able to see her perform live. Because of that, I was so pumped and grateful even to be in the room, and the concert was incredible. It was a fun and refreshing night out with a friend that I was so grateful for because the past several months in my life have been rough.
As excited as I was, I honestly I walked into the show battling some nagging questions and thoughts and some big fears about the future. You know how your thoughts and emotions just overwhelm you sometimes and it seems like they consume all of your mental and emotional energy? That’s the space I was in. Part of that was just life stuff that’s been going on, and part of it was spiritual warfare.
Tori got to the point of her set where she sings her song “High Water” from her current album ‘TORI.’ and tagged “Never Alone” from her Gospel project onto it. (Side note, as musician and worship leader I thought that transition moment musically was just…chef’s kiss!!!) And as she was singing these words I’ve heard a million times before I felt the Holy Spirit in the room, and it was like God was washing my heart and mind with truth and the weight of what I was carrying started to break off of me.
You see, “High Water” is an inspirational song about keeping faith and believing you can make it through hard times, based on things Tori herself has been through and watched people in her life go through, one of whom is mentioned in the second verse. Here are some of the lyrics:
Broken-hearted tears, forever kind of rain
Alone with all my fears, can’t escape the pain
Tired of holdin’ on, I’m runnin’ out of faith
Lord, I try, I try, try, I try
But I knowSomething is comin’ in the mornin’
“High Water” by Tori Kelly
If I can make it through the night
Whatever comes, Hell or high water
I know, I know what’s on the other side (ooh, s-s-s-side, ooh, s-s-s-side)
I know what’s on the other side, mm (ooh, s-s-s-side, other side)
God reminded me of two things found in the truth of those songs and how He was speaking personally to my heart from them. And I believe God wants to speak the same things to you.
1. No matter what comes your way in life, you know Who’s walking through it with you.
I know Jesus. If you’re reading this you might know Him personally too. (And if you don’t yet have a personal relationship with Jesus, you can learn more about that here.) Because we know Jesus, you and I are not alone in anything we go through. During that moment at the concert He reminded me of Psalm 23, which talks about God being our Shepherd. Because He’s our Shepherd, He meets all of our needs. He’s with us even in the darkest valleys of life. He gives us His peace and rest. We have His guidance and companionship. We have His comfort, protection, and blessing.
Isn’t that amazing?! Even in the hardest of times, we are fully loved, covered, and cared for by God.
Because we know Jesus, you and I are not alone in anything we go through.Click To Tweet2. No matter what comes your way in life, you know what’s on the other side.
God reminded me that I know what’s on the other side of whatever I’m facing because He can get me through it. Romans 8:28 says that even though everything that happens to us in life won’t be good, for those of us who belong to Jesus and love Him, He causes everything to work together for good and for His purposes for us.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)
Jesus, and the other New Testament authors, taught us that sorrows, problems, and trials are a part of life on this earth just as much as the blessings, triumphs, and celebrations are (John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4). But aren’t you so grateful to know that no grief, trial, or challenge–no matter how big or small–is ever wasted when you’re walking through it with Jesus and you’ve entrusted your life to Him?!
And not only do we have hope for Him to work in our lives even when things may not work out the way we expected, we also have the hope of being with Jesus for eternity once this life is over where there will be no more crying, sorrow, or pain (Romans 8:18-40; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Revelation 21:3-4). Jesus offers peace and hope to cling to in this life and the next.
Final Thoughts
I’m so grateful to Tori for making space in her music and her shows to sing songs of inspiration, hope, and truth because God used it in my life and I pray as you go listen to these songs and read the Scriptures I mentioned He uses them in your life too. Whatever you’re going through today, or whatever you might go through in the future, I encourage you to cling to Jesus and believe that you can make it to the other side because you’ve got Him. And, most importantly, He’s got you.
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13-14 NLT)
***Make sure to check out Tori Kelly’s music and show your support! She’s one of the best artists out there making music that is real, positive, and fun. You can find “High Water” on her latest album, ‘TORI.’ wherever you buy or stream music.
Let’s Talk: How is God speaking to you through these Bible verses and lyrics? And if you have a personal story of how God has encouraged you through a song, I’d love to hear that too! Discuss this in the comments below.
