Sam Bowman - GODS OF DAMASCUS (LYRIC VIDEO)

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and if it works, it works, i guess

"GODS OF DAMASCUS," the fourth song off of my new album "Atlas," tells the story of wicked king Ahaz of Judah- which is a very normal and average topic for a song, I'm told.

Here's the story: in 2 Chronicles 28 in our Bibles, we read that this guy Ahaz was willing to gut the temple of all of its treasure to sacrifice to the pagan gods the neighboring Syrians worshiped. Why? It's simple. To Ahaz, it looked like those gods were winning. Judah was suffering. The Syrians were prospering. And to Ahaz, if it worked, it worked.

What an idolatrous buffoon, we say. What a doof. And sure. He was. But how much more am I?

Now, I'm not planning on desecrating any places of worship or bowing before any statues anytime soon. But in the midst of suffering, how often do I want to focus on what "works" instead of trusting God's sovereignty- especially if what "works" turns out to be sinful? Pragmatism isn't the same thing as wisdom. There's a difference between faithful discernment and insisting that the truth is limited to what we can see. That's what Ahaz got wrong. And it's what his son, Hezekiah, got right. But that's a story for later.

Today, we have an opportunity to lean on more than simple function or formula as we make decisions. We can live by faith. Praying to the gods of Damascus won't fix anything. Instead, I need to simply do what Jesus has given me to do today- trusting Him to use my circumstances for His glory and my joy.

LAY DOWN THE PLANETS.

PICK UP YOUR CROSS.

~

Want opportunities to chat about tricky songs like these, get chord charts, and peruse exclusive BTS content? Well, 9/10 doctors recommend joining my Discord server that I never plug. It's been growing a ton lately and we have a great time. We'd love to have you! https://discord.gg/vHWmTv6UDy

Also! I've just launched new merchandise for Atlas. If you want, check out my online store for all sorts of fun loot (a personal favorite is The Entire Ghost Story On A Throw Pillow). https://sambowman.myshopify.com

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Thanks for listening, family. God bless!