Multiple-time GMA Dove Award-winning powerhouse Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant has blessed worshippers and provided worship leaders with her music. Hits such as "Held," "Greatness of Our God," "Desert Song," and "Your Great Name," really showcase Natalie's excellent vocals.
Grant’s last album Be One continued in that same upbeat, worshipful vein. The album features the call-to-action song, "Be One," the stirring worship ballad "Clean," the passionate “More Than Anything,” and the Grammy-nominated hit, "King of the World." In our 10th Behind the Song devotional together, I spoke with Natalie about her newest offering, “My Weapon.” The song serves as the lead single from her highly anticipated 10th studio album, slated for release later this year.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I’ve never made albums quickly. That’s never been my process. It’s usually about two years between projects for me. And, around that two-year mark, I got thyroid cancer. I had surgery. And, although we had a concern about my voice, it all turned out okay.
I felt pressure to create new music, as I prayed for inspiration of what the Lord wanted to sing through me. One thing I can say is after doing this for 20 years, I don’t want to just record a song to add to the noise. I’ve had the privilege to make music for a long time. And, I want to continue if God has songs for me to sing. In waiting for music, a group of songwriters came up with the idea for this song and sent it to my record company.
I heard the start of the song and something in my heart unlocked. I sang a different chorus and came up with a new bridge. We asked if we could finish it, and it became "My Weapon."
This piece goes back to the basics of what songs are about for me. We have all these things that we're distracted by, instead of the Word of God. But, His Word is our guide and the unchanging truth of God is found in the Bible. God's presence is our greatest weapon. That’s where the song came from. His presence makes us free.
Most of us are in some sort of fight: the fight for our health; the fight for our marriage or our kids who are far from God; a fight against addiction; a fight against fear, anxiety, and depression; a fight against loneliness; and the list goes on. But, whatever difficulty or hardship we find ourselves in, there is one thing that can be a source of comfort and strength above all else, and it is also our greatest weapon: the presence of God.
Which bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Joshua 1:9(VOICE): "This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go."
2 Chronicles 20:17(NIV): "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'"
Psalm 28:7(NLT): "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."
Psalm 16:11(NKJV): "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Deut. 31:8(NLT): "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you."
Philippians 4:11-13(NKJV): "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Romans 8:28(VOICE): “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.”
Romans 8:38-39 (VOICE): "For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord."
What is the takeaway message?
The Bible constantly reminds us that God never leaves us. It’s His presence that makes joy possible in the midst of pain and peace attainable in the midst of fear. And, it isn’t reserved for a few, but available to every single one of us. This song is my battle cry.
God is with us and God is for us. His presence means we are not simply fighting for victory, but from victory, because Jesus has already won the battle. His presence is our greatest weapon. Whatever current difficulty or hardship we find ourselves in, there is one thing that is a source of comfort and strength above all else, and it is also our greatest weapon: the presence of God.
His presence is always with us. No matter the fight, we never fight alone. May this song remind you that God is with you and God is for you, fighting your battles. He is your victory. God is with us even to the end of the age. We need to only be still. He’s fighting for us. Social distance from others for safety, but draw closer to God in this time. Let God take your thoughts captive.
Lyrics
Let every lie be silenced
And all depression cease
Let every dark assignment
Bow down at Jesus' feet
Let every curse be broken
Let every storm be tamed
And all that come against us
Be bound in Jesus' name
Your presence is my greatest weapon
Pushing back the darkness
Breaking every chain
My worship opens up the heavens
Crushing every stronghold
When I speak Your name
Your presence is my weapon
Your presence is my weapon
Your strength will not be shaken
Your love will not back down
Death has been defeated
What can stop me now
I hold on to what You've spoken
You said that I am free
You've given me Your promise
You are my victory
Your presence is my greatest weapon
Pushing back the darkness
Breaking every chain
My worship opens up the heavens
Crushing every stronghold
When I speak Your name
Your presence is my weapon
Your presence is my weapon
Your word and a melody
Are making a way for me
You defeat the enemy
This prison is shaking now
And these walls are coming down
Your presence makes me free
I am free
Your presence is my greatest weapon
Pushing back the darkness
Breaking every chain
My worship opens up the heavens
Crushing every stronghold
When I speak Your name
Your presence is my weapon
Your presence is my weapon
Your presence is my weapon
Closing Thoughts
"My Weapon" is one of the most inspirational songs I've ever heard. It encourages me. Being a Christian means that we walk by faith, not by sight. Faith requires people to rely on the unseen. We walk by faith every day. The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can learn to trust God more with our lives.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when looking for security in possessions and "The American Dream" is shaky at best, this song reminds me that I can lay down my worry and plans, and put my hope in God.
In light of believers being surrounded by darkness and uncertainty all around us, it's good to know that we can trust in our king, Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we know that we can trust God's Word. We are all a work in progress. Have faith and let God "work all things together for good."
Spend time with God and let Him redeem and restore you. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in all of us who've put their hope and trust in Jesus for our salvation. The Lord is bigger than any calamity that we experience in this world. God blesses us during our trials and uses them to remind us to rely on Him.
He wants to deeply know each of us and wants us to sit at His feet and rid ourselves of distractions. For anyone who feels like they are apart from God, take some time to pray the way that David prayed in the Psalms, without any technology or distractions. We can’t flee the presence of God, and when you spend time with just Him, you will walk away a changed person.
The song's message is to hold on to Christ, as something better is coming. The grace and promise that God is with us, proclaimed ultimately in the lyrics, “Your presence is my greatest weapon/Pushing back the darkness/Breaking every chain.” This message is what really moves me and guides me in my Christian walk.
Live every day for heaven and don’t forget that God’s presence is promised to us as believers throughout the Bible. "My Weapon" represents the victory that we have over our battles before we even know the earthly outcome by trusting that God is going before us and He wins.
There are still billions of people on earth that don't know Jesus as Savior. One day He will rule the new heavens and the new earth, and every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. The world is still crying out desperately for a Savior, and our job Jesus followers is to tell the world that He came, He lived a perfect, sinless life, He died for our sins, and He rose again to make all things new. That's reason to sing out loudly, “My worship opens up the heavens/Crushing every stronghold/When I speak Your name/Your presence is my weapon.” Amen to that.
NRT Lead Contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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