Greatness of our God || Newsboys || Track 5

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf8qQLGZ3o8

Breaking Down the Breakdowns

We last did this a long time ago! Surprise! I know this blog should be the “September Breakdown” blog, so where’s that? Well… it’s hard to explain. The easiest way to say this is that I had difficulty writing it. Many mentally exhaustive things went on during September that would have re-hashed some stuff I’m trying to close mindsets on. I didn’t think it would be healthy to talk about it. So, I will pause the “Breakdown” blogs for the rest of this year. My mental health has fluctuated so widely over the past 3 months. I don’t want to consistently mention the lows of my life in the blogs. Not saying that it’s not okay to have those lows. I’m saying that the consistency of using negative rhetoric, perspectives, and experiences can lead to THAT being the primary focus of your views. There does need to be a healthy balance, but in writing these “Breakdown” blogs, I noticed there wasn’t that balance. So, I want to do a couple of song breakdowns for the remainder of 2020. Expect those instead of the “Breakdowns.” Alright. Enough of that. Let’s get to the song for this month.

Here’s the Song!

As the title and thumbnail say, this month’s song is a classic from the Newsboys. It’s called: “Greatness Of Our God”. 

These song discussions are structured like the following:

• We’ll talk about the meaning behind the song with possible quotes from the artists.
  • I’ll also add some of my perceptions of the song based on its meaning.
• We’ll talk about 2-3 of my favorite lyrics and break them down as well, adding some of my thoughts to the song.

That’s about it. Also, please let me know if you have a different name for the “Song Discussion” series. I’m open to new changes, but let’s get into it!’

The Meaning

According to the article on freeccm.com (link at the end), Newsboys have kept a similar theme with their previous main hits. Michael Tait (lead singer) says they put out “solid songs to bless the church, bless the people, bless people, bless humans.” He also reminisces on the smaller prayers we would say as a child-like: “God is grace and God is good,” but this song is supposed to help us remember how great God truly is.  

I love that mindset. There’s no strict focus to the song, meaning there’s no topical focus. It’s just a celebratory song about how great our God is. It’s a simple focus to a song that we look more at hymn to do, but we look at contemporary Christian music as the more topic-based motivators. We see hymns as praiseworthy celebratory songs to sing to worship God. Hymns like: “Amazing Grace,” “It is Well,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Old Rugged Cross,” and more, which aren’t bad songs by any means. Songs like “Greatness of our God” that continue this praiseworthy flow are songs that I feel get lost, but I’m glad we’re talking about it.

The Lyrics – Part 1

Let’s look at some of the verses that I like, such as this one:

“From the dawn of creation

This world has been crying out for hope

For a hero to save us

We long for the supernatural”

This is an intriguing lyric because this thought comes up consistently from Genesis to Revelation. Ever since Genesis 3 and the Fall narrative, we’ve consistently tried to repair the relationship with God that was broken because of Adam and Eve’s actions. Once they ate the fruit they weren’t supposed to, Adam and Eve realized what they thought what right and wrong. They also realized that they went against what God told them to do and then felt guilty. This theme seems to continue through the Old Testament specifically, where people want this forthcoming Messiah that’s been talked about and prophesized about, but they want it their way. They wanted an army-based powerful king to conquer others and rule the kingdom “properly.” That wasn’t going to be the case because that’s something that can come from nature. We can raise and build people up to try and accomplish that dream, but that could be accomplished naturally. The song says that we need the supernatural to save us. We need something drastically different than what the world offers to fix the world itself because we need God’s “outside the box” plan…and that was Jesus. The pre-chorus sets us up for this plan. Check it out:

The Lyrics – Part 2

“There is only one King

Who can save the day 

So clear the stage, prepare the way

Cause heaven and earth are singing

Glory Hallelujah

Let the whole world see”

We know God’s plan at this point. We know that there is still that one king that can save us. He sacrificed himself for us. He paid the ultimate price for sin and our wrongdoings so that we could live free from sin and for God’s glory. Jesus is clearing the stage and preparing the way for salvation for the world. Jesus teaches us the way of salvation that saves us and leads us to the same Great Commission that Jesus taught his disciples. That commission was about going to the different ends of the earth and making followers of Jesus. To reach people worldwide, tell them about the great news regarding Jesus, which you can read in the first four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Heaven and earth rejoice at the sight of each new follower. It says so within the New Testament. It’s in the Gospel, according to Luke. Luke 15:7 says:

7  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who no repentance.

Each time the eternal kingdom gains another citizen, they throw a huge party to celebrate the one. The other ninety-nine have had their rejoicing moment, so they count but not at the moment. This is how great our God is. The celebration and rejoicing are overshadowed by all the darkness and sin within the kingdom. Once you gain citizenship, it’s your turn to fulfill the great commission and let the whole world see what God has done for you.

Conclusion

This wraps up my thoughts on this song. Before reading this, please check out the song first because I want you to create your own thoughts before you see what I have to say. I would like to know if your thoughts align with mine. Comment below to let me know what you think of this song and your thoughts. I can’t wait to read them. See you next week for Part 2 of our current series, “What Makes a Believer?” Stay blessed!

Website: https://freeccm.com/2019/02/19/behind-the-song-newsboys-share-the-heart-behind-their-single-greatness-of-god/