How a Christian Concert Affirmed This Memory Challenge {Join Me!}
The Bible Tour?
We didn’t know what to expect from a concert called “The Bible Tour” with Matt Maher, one of my very favorite contemporary Christian singers.
Because I’ve been in churches where the Bible is worshiped more than the God of the Bible, I didn’t want to go through that again. (See What Are You Known For?)
But because I love the worship-filled music of Matt Maher so much, we decided to take our chances with The Bible Tour when it came to Birmingham last Wednesday night.
And oh my.
It wasn’t your normal concert.
The Story Moves
It was a journey.
Beginning with Adam created from the mud, we saw both in visuals and heard in music the overwhelming story of God’s love and faithfulness throughout time.
“Great is your love and justice God of Jacob
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of heaven’s victory
And all your people sing along”
– Matt Maher, Your Grace Is Enough
Songs were sung in rotation from several Christian artists, each pertaining to the movement of God’s story through the Bible. We heard from Matt Maher, Natalie Grant, Andrew Peterson, Daniel & Harvest Bashta, and Steven Malcolm.
We moved in the story’s progression with each artist. Each song reminded us of great truths.
“Lost are saved, find their way, at the sound of Your great name
All condemned, feel no shame, at the sound of Your great name
Every fear, has no place, at the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave, at the sound of Your great name”
– Natalie Grant, Your Great Name
Reflection of Echoes
And through the lyrics of the songs, I kept hearing echoes.
Echoes of truths I’ve learned through the years.
“Oh precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
I am washed, I am washed
I am drenched in love”
– Daniel and Harvest Bashta, Drenched in Love
And echoes of memory verses that I’ve learned through the years.
- John 15 – abiding in the vine
- Isaiah 55 – the myrtle instead of a briar
- Romans 12 – a living sacrifice
And while I didn’t specifically hear Lamentations 3:21-26 during the concert, I did feel its presence there, too.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.”
Lamentations 3:21-22
After the concert, I noticed this on The Bible Tour’s website.
Echoes again?
The Word and the Hope.
Yes. Definitely echoes of Lamentations 3.
Wouldn’t you know it? It’s exactly what I’m memorizing next.
Why Memorize Scripture
Why do I love memorizing scripture?
Not because it comes easily to me. Not because it’s painless. Not because it’s quick to learn or effortless to retain.
But I love memorizing scripture because of this:
- It reminds me how much I am loved by the Father.
- It reminds me his grace yet to come is even bigger than grace I’ve already experienced.
- It reminds me I’m part of an ongoing story since the beginning of time and continuing to expand beyond all time.
Worship the God
As we listened to song after song last Wednesday night, I felt thankful for my knowledge of the Bible. It’s a book I can’t fully understand. It’s a complicated book about a complicated God.
But it was through the Bible that I was introduced to God and to Jesus and to Spirit.
And along with other avenues, the Bible continues to teach me new truths about God every passing year.
I’m ready to sit with God in these six special verses in the next six weeks.
And after the Bible Tour concert, I am grateful anew for words from God and words about God.
Matt Maher and his friends reminded me that the theme of the Bible is this: His grace is enough.
We don’t worship the Bible. We worship the God of the Bible. The good God, the faithful God, the God worthy of our praise.
And it is in that God that I put my hope (Lamentations 3:24).
And all the people say, Amen.
* * *
Want to memorize with me? Sign up this week at Do Not Depart. [UPDATE: REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED.] You’ll receive emails with weekly reminders as well as a digital packet of resources to download to help you memorize.
Do you have a favorite Christian artist who helps you worship God in deeper ways? A favorite section of the Bible that reminds you of God’s love?
- How to Be a Perfect Christian – Book Review
- 6 Books I Recommend – September 2018
I am so impressed with all the work you’ve done in memorizing Scripture. I still can’t get back in the rhythm of memorizing like I did many years ago. But whenever I think of memorizing a Scripture, I think of you, Lisa! You’ve become synonymous with Scripture memorization in my mind! I would have loved to go to that concert and hear all the many biblical themes being proclaimed in songs of worship! Thanks for inspiring us today, my friend! I’m pinning!
LOVE this passage!
Definitely in and heading over to get more info right now!
Oh, I love this post so much, Lisa. Matt Maher is one of my favorites too. I haven’t heard of “The Bible Tour” but I like what it accomplishes through music lyrics and words from God’s Word. What a powerful combination.
This is such a great point about memorizing Scripture, “It reminds me his grace yet to come is even bigger than grace I’ve already experienced.”
Wow, sounds like a great concert. And I just love how you created a resource to help memorize scripture!
Lisa, Your words, “I’ve been in churches where the Bible is worshiped more than the God of the Bible,” resonated with me. Glad this didn’t turn out to be like that!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the concert and it inspired you in this way, Lisa. What better way than soaking up God’s Word!
I love the concept of a concert sung in the chronology of the bible. Very creative. I love the song, “Your Grace is Enough.” I can never get enough grace!
Hello Lisa,
I really love the memory verses.
What a wonderful concert idea. It sounds very inspiring. I bet you were humming different songs for days.
Sounds like an awesome concert! Excited to start our new memory verse challenge.
Lately, I’ve been listening to Patt Barrett’s EP. Great songs! I also love “Do it Again” by Elevation. Casting Crowns. I love Christian music, so it’s always hard just to pick one. All Sons and Daugthers, the Getty’s, and I could go on and on. Hahaha.