I love a lot of old Passion Worship songs, so I thought I’d listen to a few of the more recent albums and this song…guys, it had me jumping around the kitchen and yelling “thank You Jesus!”
Check out these lyrics guys! It talks about carrying the weight of sin and shame until Christ called us out of darkness, like the way He called Lazarus from the grave. We serve a God who brings dead people to life, people! If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will.
I was buried beneath my shame/Who could carry that kind of weight?/It was my tomb ’til I met You/I was breathing but not alive/All my failures I tried to hide/It was my tomb ’til I met You/You called my name and I ran out of that grave
Chorus: Out of the darkness/Into Your glorious day/You called my name and I ran out of that grave/Out of the darkness/Into Your glorious day
Now Your mercy has saved my soul/Now Your freedom is all I know/The old made new, Jesus, when I met You/You called my name and I ran out of that grave
Bridge: I needed rescue, my sin was heavy/But chains break at the weight of Your glory/I needed shelter, I was an orphan/Now You call me a citizen of heaven/When I was broken, You were my healing/Now Your love is the air that I’m breathing/I have a future, my eyes are open/’Cause when You called my name/I ran out of that grave
Today’s worship is inspired by Psalm 51:16-17 – You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Come, come let us return to the Lord/Come, come let us return to the Lord/In brokenness of heart/We consecrate our lives, singing/Come, come let us return to the Lord [repeat]
With the rending of a heart/With the bowing of a knee/Lord, we are returning
With a prayer and with a fast/With a song in minor key/Lord, we are repenting
Even now, even now/With all of our hearts/For You may turn/And You may leave a blessing behind
Come, come let us return to the Lord/Come, come let us return to the Lord/In brokenness of heart/We consecrate our lives, singing/Come, come let us return to the Lord [repeat]
In Your mercy You will come/In Your mercy You will come/Surly as the rising sun/Surly as the rising sun [repeat]
Come, come let us return to the Lord/Come, come let us return to the Lord/In brokenness of heart/We consecrate our lives, singing/Come, come let us return to the Lord
Who’s your most favorite band or musician? What about actor/actress? Do enjoy a specific author? Or a certain series of books or movies? Or your favorite, athlete–football, basketball, baseball, or soccer player?
What would you do if you had the opportunity to meet that band or musician, spend quality time with that actor/actress? Discuss with your favorite author, the idea behind their most recent novel or movie? Or play a game with your favorite athlete?
Most would jump at the occasion!!
However, what if you were given the opportunity to meet them and you decided you’d rather keep your distance? What if they were in the same room with you and you decided you’d rather listen to them on your iPod, or watch a movie, read a book, or watch a game?
Sounds insane, right?!
And yet, that’s just what we do when we go to church or attend a Christian conference; when God’s moving and His presence is obviously present, we stay in our seats! It’s what we do when we sit at home and rather than open our Bibles or pray, we find ourselves filling our time with everything else that God has so graciously blessed us with. God is in the room with us! He wants to spend time with us. He wants to speak to us, one-on-one. He wants to share His plans with us and love on us, but we’re content to stand at a distance. We’re satisfied enjoying His gifts, but we completely ignore the Giver; even when He’s standing in the room with us!!
Some of us will see our favorite artists in concert over and over again. We’ll spend money and time on all our favorite and newest CDs, movies, books, movies, and games…but try to get us to study–not just read–our Bibles, spend time in prayer (2-way communication with God), or spend some serious time in worship on our own (outside of church) and you’ll have a battle on your hands.
What it comes down to is that it seems many of us are more passionate about the things God has blessed us with rather than the Blesser, our God, our Lord and Savior; the One who gave it all for us! We’ll head to the front of the stage at a concert, scream, shout and dance, and yet remain restrained before the Lord of the universe.
brokenredeemed 