I was working on some worship chorus translations, and came across this video.1
These must be among the best known and deepest striking words of the past decade. Sung here with unashamed hearts and a latent strength, this presentation is for me THE best ever, and still causes goosebumps every time I watch it.
The ‘thoughts behind’ the words had been tumbling over in the heart of the composer2 for some time, and coalesced one Sunday in 1995. He says,
“We have two services and the Pastor spoke during the first service on the “valley of dry bones” from Ezekiel. I took a prompt from this and, in the 30 minutes between the services, wrote down the words and chords in the kitchen of our church building and we sang it, as a body, at the end of the second service. The song was for our congregation, on that day and at that time.”
But God – that wonderful phrase – had other plans.
Days of Elijah spread like the proverbial wildfire, striking a common note of ‘Yes’ in churches across the world. In our nascent spanish church we sing it in translation, and every word gives hope and insight to us.
“The song is generally and principally a song of ‘hope’; ..the themes of the verses [are] Declaration, Righteousness, Unity and Worship. It is in essence a song of hope for the Church and the world in times of great trial. The chorus is the ultimate declaration of hope – Christ’s return.” 2
1 The video that stirs my heart
2 The story behind ‘Days of Elijah’ – direct from Robin Mark, the composer.