An anthem is ‘a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause.‘ Rend Collective are good at writing anthems, rousing songs which declare and proclaim the truths found in God’s word. On their album ‘Homemade Worship By Handmade People’, they sang the anthem ‘Build Your Kingdom Here’, a song full of prayers packed with a desire to see God’s power working in our nations. On their album ‘The Art of Celebration’, they sang the anthem ‘More Than Conquerors’, which set the truths of Rom 8:37 and 1 John 4:8 to music. on their new album ‘As Family We Go’, the anthemic song is ‘Every Giant Will Fall’, which declares ‘Your love is my battle cry, the anthem for all my life.’
An anthem is powerful to the extent that it proclaims truth. It needs more than a catchy tune (which they are very good at writing!) and good lyrics. Jesus said that it is truth which sets us free (John 8:32) and it is crucially important that over fear and over lies we sing truth. The truth of God’s love, the truth that ‘nothing is impossible with You’ (see Mark 9:23, Jer 32:17), the truth that Jesus broke every chain are the things we need to sing about, speak about and preach to ourselves, let alone to anyone else.
‘I can see the Promised Land
Though there’s pain within the plan,
There is victory in the end
Your love is my battle cry.
When my fears like Jericho
Build their walls around my soul,
When my heart is overthrown,
Your love is my battle cry,
The anthem for all my life.
Every giant will fall, the mountains will move
Every chain of the past, You’ve broken in two
Over fear, over lies, we’re singing the truth
That nothing is impossible with You.
There is hope within the fight
In the wars that rage inside,
Though the shadows steal the light,
Your love is my battle cry,
The anthem for all my life.
Every giant will fall, the mountains will move
Every chain of the past, You’ve broken in two
Over fear, over lies, we’re singing the truth
That nothing is impossible with You.
No greater name, no higher name
No stronger name than Jesus
You overcame, broke every chain,
Forever reign, King Jesus.’ (‘Every Giant Will Fall’, Rend Collective)
