John Mark McMillan | 4 years ago
Basement Sessions Vol 2 is now available! - https://johnmarkmcmillan.bandcamp.com/album/basement-sessions-volume-2
Download it for FREE or name-your-price today only (July 3 2020).
"Ancient and Brave" as heard on the 2020 release "Peopled with Dreams" live/acoustic from my basement studio with my lovely wife, Sarah!
Some thoughts:
“Where is God at a time like this?”
I know this is heavy, but so are the times. Then again, are they ever not?
I’ve recently received lot’s of requests to post this video for obvious reasons. “Ancient and Brave” is a song that wonders if maybe God is all-powerful because he must also be able to experientially endure the pain of every human who has ever suffered. Would we still desire to wield the power of God if we knew we would also have to carry his pain?
The most recognizable and iconic of all Christian imagery is that of our precious deity bleeding out, suspended between earth and sky. The vulnerable God. The God who suffers. Even, the God who dies.
Where is God in the brutality that defines human experience as far back as pre-history? Where is God in our pain? I wouldn’t attempt to answer the “why”, but I believe, in the deepest places of my core, that I know the “where”.
God is on the receiving end of every bullet, feels the sting of every whip, and suffers the blow of every reckless fist. Above all, this is what the cross says to me: If there’s a God (and I believe there is) then he’s the one who fellowships with our pain.
Lyrics :
Ancient and brave
Do you feel the weight of every woman's pain
All of these years
Do you stain your face with every woman's tears
While they say
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
Ancient and brave
Do you suffer the fate of every man's rage
All of these years
Do you stain your heart with every man's fears
While they say
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
"Where is God at a time like this? Where is God?"
Every bullet, every blow, every wanton fist
Would we covet the power you hold if we knew it would be like this
Every bullet, every blow, every wanton fist
Would we covet the power you hold if we knew it would suffer this
You cut the mountains with volcanic rage, stone, and ash
You lit the firmament ablaze, you pulled the waters back
You drank the mortal cup to feel the blast of senseless acts
You blotted out the blood of war with blood upon your back
You cut the mountains with volcanic rage, stone, and ash
You lit the firmament ablaze, you pulled the waters back
You drank the mortal cup to feel the blast of senseless acts
You blotted out the blood of war with centuries upon your back
