And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

These questions are from the chorus of Our God, a song made popular by Chris Tomlin in 2010. It is one of the most popular worship songs ever produced. The official video has over 41 million views on YouTube; several other versions have a combined 23 million more views. That’s amazing.

Our God was used in a worship set for an event I attended just the other day (in 2020). Most in attendance knew the words by heart. It is a great and much-loved song… with two very good questions; indeed, questions we should more seriously consider.

In the song, these questions seem to be asked rhetorically, as if the answer is obvious: nothing can stop us, nor stand against us. The shift in meter and tone during this part of the song emphasizes the point, sounding something like a war cry: Our God is greater, stronger, higher, and awesome in power; therefore, we are unstoppable and irrepressible.

So, why is the Western church not only being stopped, but floundering in decline and retreat?

If one desires to worship God in Spirit and in truth, he must consider the truth of his words, in the light of the Spirit’s revelation. Sung inquiringly, these questions should cause every Christian to pause; a little bit of self-reflection is in order.

• Is God for us, or have we given Him reason to come against us with the rebuke, chastening, and scourging of a loving Father?
  
• Is God with us, or have we given Him reason to withdraw?
  
• Who could ever stop us? Could we stop ourselves to pursue the ways and means of the world?
  
• What can stand against us? Are we not standing against each other in competitive divisiveness?
  

We strongly suggest these questions are conversation starters for prayerful consideration with our heavenly Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. It will do little good to discuss them amongst ourselves until God has spoken to us individually. Our hope is repentance (i.e., a change of mind), confession, forgiveness, and grace to radically change our behavior.

God bless you with courage to ask yourself and God the difficult questions.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob