presenting
"the shadow
of el shaddai”
Featuring rita springer
written by
lynn deshazo
and jennie lee riddle
Introduction from
jennie riddle
This song holds so much hope, awe, and thankfulness for me personally. The other two women attached to this recording are both true heroes of mine and have both been used by God to forever alter my life.
Rita Springer and Lynn DeShazo have impacted my walk with the Lord in ways that are so holy: they are somehow intrinsically woven into my sweetest and most gut-wrenching moments and seasons because of their ministry through music.
As a brand new born-again believer in 1988, there was an already decade-old song that was like a drink of fresh water for my constantly thirsty heart. “More Precious Than Silver” was on repeat in my soul.
Remembering back to my first corporate worship experiences, so many times, when our small congregation had worshiped our hearts out using our predetermined set list and had sung all we planned, the Lord still lingered with us, rejoicing over us with singing.
It was in those still, precious moments, a pure-hearted saint would faithfully begin to lift their voice into the still… “Lord, You are more precious than silver…” And suddenly and profoundly the Lord would pour His goodness out upon us all; as if He had waited for us to finish speaking so that He could.
I didn’t know how much those priceless moments as a baby believer would become my deepest desire. He is bread and food… “more costly than gold…”
I became ruined for anything less than His glory revealed under the shadow of His wings. It was a great honor, 23 years later, to meet and write “The Shadow of El Shaddai” with Lynn DeShazo, who had unknowingly taught me to wait on God.
And, I’ll never forget the first time I heard Rita, 23 years ago now, and found myself on my face making an altar during one of the most difficult times in my life singing her lyrics, “…and the voice of my Shepherd is calling me, and the hand of my friend I will take…” The ache and love in her music gave my soul the needed posture to bow and be healed.
She filled my mouth with words of consecration when I couldn’t find my own. Her breadcrumbs have helped me to take up my cross and follow Jesus. Her response to fear and pain blazed a path and helped lead me through all of my own seasons of distress.
She has taught me to “dwell in the secret place of God Most High,” to mine the gold of His Word, and intimacy with Him. I am forever grateful. It is an inexplicable gift that she agreed to feature on this recording at this time.
It seemed so right, with all the hurt and distress across the world, the heaving and the sighing, to bring this song, “The Shadow of El Shaddai.” It is also like an old friend to me now. It was written so long ago, and yet, seems perfectly on time.
It is my hope that you are gathered in His strong embrace, comforted and carried through. I pray that you will know the joy of Him and the sound of His heartbeat in the hiddenness. I pray that you will confidently know and say of the Lord now and in the days to come, “‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence’” -Psalm 91:2-3
words from
Rita Springer
I’ve known Jennie Riddle for many years and learned so much from her wisdom in song writing. I have considered her one of the best at crafting songs and stories. When she called to ask about being the featured artist on this song she had written years before, I was glad to be a part of it.
While the style in which the song was written is not a normal genre I gravitate toward, my heart for Israel and the Jewish people are rooted deep in admiration and love. I could not escape the timing of this song and the prophetic scripture it declares over the nation of Israel and others who so deeply need the encouragement of being held seen and known by God.
This song is such a reminder of God’s declarative love over us and over his people. He will never leave us nor will he ever forsake us. What an honor to be a part of this song and so encouraged in however he wants to use it to show people his safe love.
Perspective from
lynn deshazo
“There will be war to the end of the age.” Those were the words from the Holy Spirit rolling around in my spirit in the early morning of the aftermath of October 7, 2023, the date of the most horrific attack upon the Jewish people since the Holocaust of World War II.
The words were not alarming to me though; they seemed matter of fact. I was reminded of Jesus’s words to the disciples in His Olivet discourse, “You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed...”- Matthew 24:6 (NASB).
The Holy Spirit was indicating to me that we are on a permanent war footing until the Lord Jesus returns. Thankfully, our heavenly Father has provided some mighty spiritual weapons for us to prevail over our enemies and an enduring promise we can count on.
Consider the words of Psalm 91 that inspired the song, “The Shadow of El Shaddai.” It begins:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust”- Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)
This Psalm uses the imagery of ancient warfare to depict how our Heavenly Father is, for us, a refuge and a fortress against the attacks in our lives. We discover that El Shaddai– traditionally translated as the Almighty–is Himself, the secret place. As His children we can always run to Him in order to enter the hidden, sheltered place of His holy Presence.
We read on and find words like “rescue” and “cover you with His feathers.” He is described as our “armor” and “shield.” We don’t have to fear the very real trouble or danger we may be facing because of His strong protection and love for us. We are even encouraged to take refuge “under His wings.”
The closer we live to the Father, the more secure and protected we become. Can there be a safer place in our world today than in the Presence of the Lord, under our Father’s wings? As the chorus of the song proclaims,
“We will hide in the shadow of El Shaddai
And dwell in the secret place of God Most High
We’ll abide in the shadow of El Shaddai
In the shadow of El Shaddai, we will hide”
Amen! Let that be your declaration of trust in the Lord. No matter what you’re facing today, keep worshiping your God. Hide yourself in Him. Then, look on and see the Almighty defend you and fight for you from the strategic higher ground of His awesome Presence.
the shadow of el shaddai lyrics
Verse 1
Here in Your strength, we will hide
Under Your wings, we will find our peace
Surely, You'll bear us up, we will not fall
Surely, You'll carry us, El Elyon
Pre Chorus
You are our refuge, faithful in all Your ways
We look to You for rescue and are saved
Chorus
We will hide in the shadow of El Shaddai
And dwell in the secret place of God Most High
We'll abide in the shadow of El Shaddai
In the shadow of El Shaddai, we will hide
Bridge
There between the cherubim
Underneath the Father's wings
We're safe from harm
Oh, sheltered in the secret place
Gathered in your strong embrace
We'll sing for joy!
We'll sing for joy!
We'll sing for joy!
CCLI Song # 5936243
Jennie Lee Riddle | Lynn DeShazo
© 2011 Jennie Lee Riddle Music
Lynn DeShazo Music (Admin. by Ready Writer Music)
All rights reserved. For licensing requests, visit Music Services.
CREDITS:
writers: jennie lee riddle riddle, lynn deshazo
Produced and mixed by: Seth talley
mastered by: Bob Boyd
featured artist: rita springer
rita springer bio
Rita is one of the most gifted worship leaders to arise over the last fifteen years. She believes that the joy of being a worship leader is to make those listening, jealous for what has been found in Christ.
Making Christ famous through the art, act and physical sound of our worship is Rita’s anthem and her deepest desire is to see this arise in the body of Christ. Her motto is; “To make the Lord famous in whatever I do with my worship and relationship with Him”.
Born out of that deep desire and to see women free through the tools of the Word, Worship and Prayer, she started her own women’s conference in 2000 called ‘Fragrant Oil’ it was an incredible season of 7 years watching God use worship powerfully to transform lives across the globe.
In 2008 she began a worship school called DIVE (Deep - Innovative - Vertical - Expression) The School trains and encourages upcoming worship leaders all over the world with weeklong intensive one-on-one courses. Staying true to her calling, Rita continues to write new songs and leads worship at churches, conferences and events around the country. Rita released her first book in 2013, Finding Eve.
