Wednesday Worship: Edition #8
Picking the song for this week’s Wednesday Worship was easy, partly because I could listen to Shane & Shane all day long and never tire of their poetry, reflection, worship, and reverence. Their blend of acoustic instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics speak to me every time I listen to them. I love them because they are real. They speak truth. I love when music blends apologetics with experience, because that’s part of worship… knowing truth and clinging to that truth moving me to a place where I praise and rejoice.
I have sung the hymn “Before the Throne Of God Above” for years, and the depth of truth in that song has always spoken to me. I love that it is the complete Gospel in song. The promise of hope and the certainty of where I stand in the eyes and heart of my Savior is rich in this hymn. Knowing that with Christ, I cannot die. Knowing that He, the sinless One, took my place and I am guiltless. Knowing that my name is inscribed on the palms of His hands. I can never fall out. It is the peace of assurance. Full assurance that nothing can change who I am in Christ.
Shane & Shane do an excellent cover of this hymn on their Pages CD which you can download at iTunes or Amazon.com mp3 downloads. They add a refrain that brings the power of truth to the place of experience, and with experience comes praise. I have spent the past week (literally!) singing their refrain over and over as I go through my day. He has brought me from a place of despair to the truth of my place of security in Him and that brings me to praise. So I echo Shane & Shane’s cry to “Praise the One, the Risen Son of God!”
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Praise the One, Risen Son of God!Behold Him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself, I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God!Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Praise the One, Risen Son of God!
Amen and amen! Won’t you praise the Risen Son with me today?
Natalie said:
Another good one by Shane and Shane is entitled “Yearn.” It goes:
Lord I want to yearn for you
I want to burn with passion
Over You
and only YOU
Brothers and sisters, YEARN for more of Jesus. He is the One, Risen Son of God.
Becky Leung said:
Ang,
You have such a way with words and expressing them well in your thoughts. One of my favorite songs with sing at Cov is the song you mentioned. The words sung does have a great and deep meaning and it’s a great relief to know “my name is written on His hands” PRAISE BE TO GOD!
This week I have been recapping a lot of the past week’s sermon The song “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” has been on my heart, soul, and mind all this week and has really helped me through this week.
I continually pray for you and your family!
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
William Cowper
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
Isn’t a relief to know that our plans isn’t necessarily God’s plans? And in the midst of everything that happens in our life, God has a purpose behind everything? It’s hard to believe at first, but I know with myself, it’s a lesson I’m continually learning every day!
Much love,
Beks