8 Worship Songs to Build Your Faith When the Future Is Unclear

Originally composed by William Bradbury more than 160 years ago, this classic hymn has seen several re-arrangements through the years, but its original lyrics by Edward Mote still ring true today and provide a comfort during these ever-changing times.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

This song reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB).

We need that reminder that He is our Rock – not our roller coaster – our immovable, ever-dependable Rock of Refuge during these uncertain, ever-changing times.

2. Great Is Thy Faithfulness

This old hymn, with lyrics by Thomas Chisholm, reminds us of God’s faithfulness from everlasting to everlasting. Based on Lamentations 3:22-23, it reassures us that “His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (NASB).

What a comfort it is to know that, according to this worship song:

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou for ever wilt be.

In an uncertain economy, that is sure to get worse before it gets better, we can have confidence as we praise Him for His constant faithfulness and sing:

Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
Great is They faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Proverbs 21:31 tells us: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”

Kristi Foss, a longtime worship leader who is currently serving at Thrive Church in Central California, said: “A lot of songs right now are about overcoming a battle. Because of COVID and other situations, people are either dropping out of church or finding their faith is something they need to really get serious about.” Because of this, she’s seeing a resurgence in people’s faith and a desire to worship God for Who He is and all He can do.

“A lot of the newer songs today are not as cliché. Worship songs are taking a deeper route now. I think that’s because of what 2020 did. There were a lot of songs that came out about fear and hope and that God’s in control.”

One of the newer songs her congregation is holding onto is Battle Belongs (released in 2020 by Phil Wickham) which encourages us with these lyrics:

When all I see is the battle, You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now for I am safe with You

So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah
For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty
Thank You God

When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb
Almighty fortress, You go before us
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
You shine in the shadow, You win every battle
Nothing can stand against the power of our God

4. Gratitude

Another powerful song that is building the faith of others is Gratitude by Brandon Lake. Foss said, “As I told my church’s congregation last week, worship is not about us and our experience or preferences. It’s about our offering [of praise and ourselves] to God. That’s why the song Gratitude is really resonating with people.”

The lyrics include:

All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah

And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/ColbieCreative 

A constant encouragement to believers is Hebrews 13:5, where we are told that God says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.” Hillsong’s Never Walk Alone by Ben Fielding, Hannah Hobbs, and Jenn Johnson, reminds us of this promise of God’s to never leave us, that we have an inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6; Ephesians 1;11-14), and that He is our strength and shield (Psalm 28:7).

The chorus builds our confidence with these words:

I have never walked alone
I’ve never been abandoned
You are my inheritance
You are my strength and shield

And I have confidence
You go before me
You’re my deliverer
I know I never walk alone

The song goes on to praise God for His faithfulness, that He’s strong and able, and that He’s our providence. It also contains this reminder:

Every hour
Every minute
You have always been there
You are faithful
And You always will be

In every triumph
Every failure
You are loyal to me
You are faithful
And You always will be

6. Yahweh

The song, Yahweh, by Dee Wilson (Vineyard Worship) is one that reminds us Who is in control and Who reigns, even when circumstances may indicate otherwise.

“During the [2020] shutdown when my entire business was squashed like a bug, God reminded me of His promises in the song, Yahweh, said Lorraine Bosse Smith, a work/life balance coach and author of several books on finding balance and staying healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. “God is pleased when we trust Him to abundantly meet our needs and sometimes we need to sing it aloud to Him.”

This is the song You sing over me
‘I am Yahweh, I am Yahweh, and I reign.’
This is my song when the trials come
You are Yahweh, You are Yahweh, and You reign
Overflow is pouring out
I receive

Another song that is empowering the faith of believers right now is Way Maker, originally written by Nigerian gospel singer, Sinach, and covered by many American artists in the past seven years, including Michael W. Smith and Leeland.

The lyrics assure us that our God is capable and in control:

You are here moving in the midst. I worship You, I worship You
You are here working in this place, I worship You, I worship You
You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper light in the darkness
My God, that is Who you are

You are here, touching every heart, I worship You, I worship You
You are here, healing every heart, I worship You, I worship You
You are here, turning lives around, I worship You, I worship You
You are here, mending every heart, I worship You, I worship You

Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working

The song ends with a proclamation of the power of God’s name over all our circumstances and uncertainties:

His name is above depression
His name is above loneliness
His name is above disease, His name is above cancer
His name is above every other name

Reckless Love

The first time I heard and sang Cory Asbury’s worship song, Reckless Love, I was moved to tears.

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

We can be overwhelmed today by opposition, moral decline, a lack of stability, or a fear of rising uncertainty. But to be overwhelmed by God’s pursuing, never-ending, reckless love of God? That is comforting. People are reckless. Lawmakers are reckless. Even other believers are reckless. But when God’s love is reckless – yet pure, unconditional, and righteous – bring it on!

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tinnakorn Jorruang 

For more on building your faith during uncertain times, see Cindi’s books, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, and Women on the Edge.