Photo by Patrick Hendry
Red Rocks Worship, much like Bethel, is a collection of worship leaders and songwriters who seek to draw people closer to God with their music. Born out of Red Rock Church in Golden, Colorado in 2005, they spawned five other church plants, a prison ministry, and several albums and an EP:
- Into the Light (2015)
- Living Liturgies (2016, EP)
- Here (Live) (2017)
- spark. (Live) (2019)
- spark. ACOUSTIC SESSIONS (2020)
I am not aware of any prestigious awards or nominations based on their work.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review. I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
The source Red Rocks Worship’s trust in God is His track record. He’s never broken any of His promises. He’s always been faithful. His word never returns void. As Red Rocks Worship experiences life, the God who exists everywhere makes a way out of temptation, quenching fear.
In my initial review of this song, I took exception with the end of Verse 2. I believed that it contained an implicit “name it and claim it” sort of statement, that Red Rocks Worship’s praise causes them to win battles. God is the victor. Our worship cannot declare anything. I thought that they recovered when, later in Chorus 2, they connect triumph with God. However, Red Rocks connects declaration to God’s promise, not their efforts in praise. There is at least one example in Scripture that contains these elements, shown in section 2.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it agrees with God’s inspired Word.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
I have this confidence because
I’ve seen the faithfulness of God
Red Rocks Worship experienced first-hand that God is faithful to them, even if they are unfaithful to Him (Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 7:9, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 91:4, Psalms 119:90, Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 10:23, 2 Peter 3:9, and 1 John 1:9).
The still inside the storm
The promise of the shore
That is, the promise of rest (Psalm 95:6-11, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 3:1-16, and Hebrews 4:1-16).
I trust the power of Your word
It is stronger than a two-edged sword that pierces Red Rocks Worship’s soul, a weapon to thwart the enemy, will never return void, and causes them to become born again (Jeremiah 23:29, Isaiah 55:11, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, and 1 Peter 1:23).
Enough to seek Your kingdom first
Quotes from Matthew 6:33 and Luke 12:31.
Beyond the barren place
Beyond the ocean waves
That is, seeking God beyond daily struggle that tries Red Rocks Worship (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).
[Chorus 1]
When I walk through the waters, I won’t be overcome
When I go through the rivers, I will not be drowned
My God will make a way, so I am not afraid
When Red Rocks Worship faces temptation, God always provides the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
[Verse 2]
You keep the promises You make
There isn’t one that is delayed
God keeps all His promises based on His timing, not ours (Joshua 21:45, Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56, Romans 4:21, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 10:23, and 2 Peter 3:9).
NOTE: Not all plans of God are promises. Jeremiah 18:8 tells us that if a nation repents, God will relent on the calamity He intended upon it. Jonah 3:10 is a great example of this.
So I will not lose heart
That is because Red Rocks Worship can do all things through Christ who strengthens them (Philippians 4:13).
Here, I will lift my arms
And start to sing into the night
My praise will call the sun to rise
Declare the battle won
Declare that it is done
In 2 Chronicles 20:1-21, there is a promise from God that Jehoshaphat would defeat an army that wars against them. It is in this context that Jehoshaphat could declare that the battle is won. In the same way, Red Rocks can boldly proclaim victory based not on their praise or from their steam, but based on God’s promise of victory to them. However, it is easy to see this as a “name it and claim it” statement.
[Chorus 2]
When I walk through the waters, I won’t be overcome
When I go through the rivers, I will not be drowned
My God will make a way, so I am not afraid
Repeats Chorus, lines 1-3.
When I am in the fire, I will not feel the flames
I’ll stand before the giant, declaring victory
My God will make a way, so I am not afraid
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego did not experience flames in Daniel 3:19-30, and David slew Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:31-50. In both instances, God is credited as the One who delivered them from the fiery furnace and the giant. Unlike in Verse 2, where praise causes victory, Red Rocks Worship declares that God is the author of deliverance.
[Bridge]
Before me, behind me
Always beside me
No shadow, no valley
Where You won’t find me
That is, God is omnipresent (1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139:7-12, Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Colossians 1:17, and Hebrews 4:13).
No, I am not afraid
If God is with us, to what shall we be afraid (Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:6, and Hebrews 13:6)?
Before me, behind me
Always beside me
No shadow, no valley
Where You won’t find me
No, I am not afraid
No, I am not afraid
Repeats line 1-5.
[Outro]
My God will make a way, so I am not afraid
No, I am not afraid, no, I am not afraid
Essentially repeats Chorus 1, line 3.
Score: 9/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Red Rocks Worship uses mostly everyday language to communicate their message, with a small helping of Biblical quotes. Though those outside the camp of Christ may not comprehend “seek Your Kingdom first”, they will discern Red Rocks Worship’s basic message: They trust in God through life.
Score: 9/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God when Red Rocks Worship communicates trust in God through the tumult of life.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Red Rocks Worship’s Not Afraid is a great song. Red Rocks Worship trust in God when they face life’s struggles and temptations, unafraid and confident. This song glorifies God as trustworthy, faithful, and everywhere. Unbelievers will comprehend its basic message, even if some of its Biblical references require additional study.
I highly recommend this for corporate worship.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Not Afraid (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Red Rocks Worship
Album: Here (Live)
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2017
Duration: 4:31
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2017 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (SESAC) The Worship Society (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), Upside Down Under (BMI), Be Essential Songs (BMI), Red Rocks Worship (ASCAP), All Essential Music (ASCAP) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
01/21/2022 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Red Rocks Worship’s theology.
03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.
06/08/2020 – In light of Val Khieya’s comments, I modified my review and increased its overall score from 9/10 to 9.5/10.
Comments
Val Khieya
Hello!
I appreciate your review as always, it is such a blessing to read through.
I will challenge you though, on your seeming aversion to Red Rock’s mention of praise bringing victory.
Let me just bring up some scriptures, instead of arguing the validity (or lack thereof) of any theological doctrine.
There is Acts 16:25, 26; a story we all know of how Paul and Silas were miraculously delivered while praising and worshipping. I believe this is the main reference any worship song is making with statements like we see in this song.
There is also 2 Chronicles 20:21, 22; where a choir leads an army into battle and God causes the enemy army to be destroyed.
Another possible reference is 1 Samuel 30:6; David and his men suffer a heart wrenching blow when their families are taken captive while the men are at war. David encourages himself (there is a psalm written about this moment) and soon after everything is recovered.
As we can see, the scripture is replete with examples of Praising and Worshipping, and God doing miracles on our behalf.
Every promise of God is true. He cannot fail to keep a single one. However, just about every promise of God comes with some kind of required action on our part.
Proverbs 18:21 says death and life is in the power of our tongue. Jesus further expands this principle when he says that if two of us agree regarding anything on earth, it will be done for us. (Matthew 18:19)
In light of these scriptures, I have no problem with the lyrics of this song.
Thank you!
Vince Wright
Val,
Thank you for your comments again!
You’ve put me at a crossroads. On the one hand, you provided one Scripture that demonstrates God’s power manifest through worship, that He keeps His promises. On the other hand, Red Rock’s statement is a declaration of faith can set up unrealistic expectations, that every time we praise, God will grant material victory over what ails us. There is an easy fix for this that I thought about in an upcoming review but not this one. According to James 4:13-15, if we add a qualifier such as “if the Lord wills”, we can place the emphasis on God’s will instead of a possibly arrogant declaration that may not come to pass.
In Acts 16:25-26, there is no declaration that God would remove them from prison. They prayed and worshipped God and He happened to rescue them.
To understand 2 Chronicles 20:21-22, we need to read the full context. If you go back to the beginning of the chapter, there is a report to King Jehoshaphat that a “great multitude was coming against [him]”. Jehoshaphat responded by consulting God in prayer. He received his response through the prophet Jahaziel, to go and meet their enemy; however, they do not need to fight. That’s what they did: they met their enemy and praised God! The only reason why their praise could declare victory is because God told them beforehand that they would win. This is the only example you’ve given that connects the first part of Verse 2 with the rest, that we could declare victory based on God’s promise.
I couldn’t find the Psalm referenced in 1 Samuel 30:6 or any statements that David was worshipping.
I’ve updated my review.
-Vince Wright
Val Khieya
Vince,
I appreciate the consideration you have given to my comment. Yes, we cannot have unrealistic expectations of God giving us whatever we need; however in regards to certain promises that are outright stated to be God’s will for us, (such as our health and safety in Psalm 91, an extremely relevant scripture at this time) we should have complete faith that God will be true to His word, and we can praise Him for that.
I may have erred in my reference to 1 Samuel 30:6. However, I believe it to be within the bounds of reason that David, a psalmist and worshipper, would encourage himself with a psalm.
Thank you!