Worship – Family Cook

January 5, 2021January 3, 2021

Worship in 2020: Part 3

Champion (Bethel Worship)

It took me a while to process the lyrics of this song. On first hearing, it seems to be more about us and not enough about God. But as the words sink in, it is a powerful testimony of how God transforms us. He is the Champion, the one who “crowns me with confidence” and invites us to be “seated in the heavenly place”. He gives us what we don’t deserve.

In proclaiming “I have the authority Jesus has given me” there are echoes of Peter healing the man at the temple gate in Acts 3, as well as Jesus teaching in John 14 that “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these”. This song also reminds me of the words of St Teresa of Avila:

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
St Theresa of Avila

This song for me is an encouragement of the power of Jesus. His power to transform us, and to use us to bring glory to His name.

January 4, 2021January 3, 2021

Worship in 2020: Part 2

The second worship song that I have particularly found to be powerful during 2020 is Run to the Father by Cody Carnes.

I find the Biblical imagery of the lyrics, combined with the anthemic melody particularly powerful. The first verse seems to speak about us “casting our cares on the Lord” (Ps 55), and it has reminded me of the invitation of Jesus to take his easy yoke and light burden (Matt 11). The chorus is my favourite part of the song: There’s the picture of Adam and Eve hiding from God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and how we have a similar tendency to keep parts of our lives hidden from God; the comparison of God healing our hearts and being a friend to our soul, and that we can keep running into the arms of God constantly – it’s not just a one-time act. The bridge references Psalm 139 – that we were “in God’s sights long before [our] first breath.

Written the first person, the song speaks of how we were not created to be alone, and that we need to “run to the Father” to receive the intimacy and healing that comes from a relationship with Him. It reminds us that God is our merciful redeemer, father, healer and friend.

What have you been listening to recently?

January 3, 2021January 3, 2021

Worship in 2020: Part 1

What worship songs have spoken to you over the last year? Are there any particular lyrics that you have found yourself repeating? Over the next few days, I’ll share 5 songs (in no particular order) that I have found to be particularly powerful. We’d love to hear yours too! Continue reading “Worship in 2020: Part 1”