Music Review by Ellenor Lotter
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SHOFARBAND — WE WON’T BE AFRAID
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Have you ever heard the expression “fake it till you make it”? We live in a world that is so sick and tired of people “faking it” and pretending to be something they’re not. Unfortunately we see a lot of this going on in a place we call “church”. . . What do we see when we stand in front of the mirror? What was it that a man like King David experienced when he prayed in Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts”. Who is this God the world is so desperately searching for? Do we as believers really know Him to the extent of being driven to tell all the world how much He loves them? What is it that would make a group of young people set up their instruments in the middle of the floor and turn their affection to the ONE TRUE GOD?!
It can only be that these young people had a personal encounter with the One they are worshipping. I usually devour the contents of the CD booklet and love the way this whole setup has been portrayed by a layout of photo’s showing the relaxed and informal environment they worshipped in. You can actually pick up on this as you listen to these songs. There is a freedom in these songs by a group of musicians who have come to know this God, the One Who rules the Universe. I love how “real” this album is; surely prepared in detail, but also leaving room and space for being free and happy and excited in the presence of our great God.
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At times it feels almost “unplugged” and so very intimate. I really felt this when hearing HIDING PLACE. The very next song calls Him UNDEFEATED and I realise that spending time in the presence of God, changes our perspective on the things we face. It actually changes the way we fight back when the enemy comes against us. It is in this place of intimacy we start to see what God sees when He looks at us and we become more confident, walking up straight, like men and woman of God.
Shofarband writes on their website: “We live in a world motivated by fear and the title track of the new album, WE WON’T BE AFRAID, is a call to live by faith, knowing that God is with us, and for us. The Central focus of the album is the supremacy and all-sufficiency of Christ, the King of glory and our desire is for true worship to be stirred in the hearts of those who hear each of these songs.”
What happens when we start walking like the men and woman called by God? Paul writes in Philippians 1:28 “And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence ] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.”
Let’s be real in showing the world that we struggle too, but that we also “overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony”. Maybe it feels like we are “faking” it as we walk in faith, but we also know that without faith it is impossible to please God. Let’s change the place we call “church” by not only hearing but doing! Let us declare: WE WON’T BE AFRAID!
Let the worshipper in you arise!
