Lord I Lift Your Name on High – Rick Founds

Rick Founds found something. His name lends itself to this kind of declaration, and since he’s a songwriter, he may have even used this way to introduce one of his creations, this song “Lord I Lift Your Name on High”. He’s written many songs, and strummed on his guitar numerous times, but the day he wrote the words of this song, he says he was struck by God’s plan for us. It was a new thought, even though it was a day like many others, and he was doing what he did lots of other times in his own personal time with Him. What new thought? A. God has had a plan, since the beginning; and B. He, the Creator, subjected Himself to creation, kinda behaving like a part of His Creation, to implement this plan. The words of Founds’ song tell us that God put Himself into a four-step cycle: Heaven-Earth-Death-Resurrection. He’s the only one who’s ever gonna do all four of these – think about it, Founds says in this song. It’s probably something I’ll never completely fathom, but something Founds says about God’s behavior helps us understand. God is like rain, Founds has said. It falls to earth, nourishes what’s there, evaporates into the air, and then returns again – as when brought by thunderstorms (see the picture above). It’s not a perfect analogy, but rain is perhaps the most basic ingredient to life on this planet. Most of the human body is water, and most of what we see growing here does so because it receives moisture. Have you noticed that scientists get really excited when they think they’ve discovered water on Mars, or on one of the other planets? Thinking of His creation, it really makes sense that God would behave like rain in order to replenish us. I drink water after I run, and I need God like that too. Rick Founds was studying from His electronic Bible, and playing with his guitar, and he’d done this many times, undoubtedly because this combination fed him emotionally, spiritually, and creatively. He grew, just like plants do when they get water, and the song God gave him to share with the world is just like that rain. I wonder how Rick Founds feels knowing that he has helped carry God’s water to believers like me? What a sensation! Even more, how must Jesus feel, having been the Godly rain for us? Maybe He’ll tell us one day. For now, this song keeps coming back to remind me that God is intimately familiar with what sustains my spirit. And, He knows the physical fuel is necessary too. I’m headed to a church Potluck in a few minutes – fellowship, and food and drink. He has sent me all that I need. The source for Rick Founds’ Lord I Lift Your Name on High” song story is the book “Our God Reigns: The Stories behind Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs”, by Phil Christensen and Shari MacDonald, Kregel Publications, 2000. Also see “The Complete Book of Hymns-Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs”, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. ,2006.