More Than A Song: Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

I desire to love God with all of my being, but to do that I must focus on His love for me revealed in the Gospel. 

Song lyrics that present the Gospel--the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ--give us a beautiful way to remember and meditate on the truth of God’s redemptive plan.


Slow down for a moment and read the lyrics to Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery by Matt Papa*

Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King

He the theme of heaven’s praises

Robed in frail humanity

In our longing, in our darkness

Now the light of life has come

Look to Christ, who condescended

Took on flesh to ransom us

Come behold the wondrous mystery

He the perfect Son of Man

In His living, in His suffering

Never trace nor stain of sin

See the true and better Adam

Come to save the hell-bound man

Christ the great and sure fulfillment

Of the law; in Him we stand

Come behold the wondrous mystery

Christ the Lord upon the tree

In the stead of ruined sinners

Hangs the Lamb in victory

See the price of our redemption

See the Father’s plan unfold

Bringing many sons to glory

Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come behold the wondrous mystery

Slain by death the God of life

But no grave could e’er restrain Him

Praise the Lord; He is alive!

What a foretaste of deliverance

How unwavering our hope

Christ in power resurrected

As we will be when he comes

What a foretaste of deliverance

How unwavering our hope

Christ in power resurrected

As we will be when he comes 

Here’s the link to Matt Papa’s YouTube channel if you’d like to listen to Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

How do you preach the Gospel to yourself?


*Song Title: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery, Artist: Matt Papa, From the album: Look & Live ℗ 2013 The Summit Church, Writers: Matt Boswell, Michael Bleecker, Matt Papa, © 2012 Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker), McKinney Music, Inc. (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) © 2013 Love Your Enemies Publishing

More Than A Song: The Lord Our God

If you’re anything like me (and I’m guessing every other Christian on the planet), you’ve encountered the following situation at least once in your Christian walk: you come to a crossroads in some area of life, pray about it, get godly counsel on the decision, feel certain you know what direction God is guiding you in, and off you go barreling down that path. Whatever it is, you’re certain it leads to fulfillment, optimal joy, and free rides on sparkly unicorns. Then you find yourself in the thick of it and it’s hard. It’s dark. It’s lonely. It’s not the warm fuzzy experience you were certain God had in mind when you signed on.

What now? Did God trick you? Lie to you? Abandon you? If He led you here, is He still good? Can He still use this—even this—for His glory?

Don’t move. Stay right there and listen. Wait for Him. He is there with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Read these lyrics from the worship song The Lord Our God by Kristian Stanfill*

The Lord our God is ever faithful

Never changing through the ages

From this darkness You will lead us

And forever we will say

You're the Lord our God

Promise maker, promise keeper

You finish what You begin

Our provision through the desert

You see it through ‘til the end

In the silence, in the waiting

Still we can know You are good

All Your plans are for Your glory

Yes, we can know You are good

We won't move without You

You're the light of all

And all that we need

Here’s the link to Passion’s VEVO if you’d like to listen to Kristian Stanfill lead The Lord Our God

What song has helped you focus on the Lord?

*Song Title: The Lord Our God, Artist: Kristian Stanfill, from the album Passion: Let The Future Begin ℗ 2013 sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records, Writers: Jason Ingram, Kristian Stanfill © 2013 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)

More Than A Song: Lord I Need You

As a worship musician, I often have the privilege of hearing and playing the same song dozens of times during a week. Some songs stick with me long after the song services are over. I’ll find myself using the lyrics in my devotional times or randomly throughout the day in prayer.

As a writer, I wondered if anyone else would benefit from this. So today I’m starting a new blog series called More Than A Song where we’ll slow down for a moment and mediate alone on the words we usually sing together.

The song Lord I Need You by Matt Maher* is a simple prayer, but the lyrics so beautifully echo the cry of my heart.

Lord, I come, I confess

Bowing here I find my rest

Without You I fall apart

You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, Oh, I need You
Every hour I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more

Where grace is found is where You are

And where You are, Lord, I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus, You're my hope and stay

The Lord knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8) and what we need most is Him. The nearness of God is our good (Psalm 73:28) even at work, even in traffic, even in the waiting room. He is there defending us, interceding for us, loving us, forgiving us, strengthening us, and making a way for us to escape temptation. Every hour, He is with us. Lord, we need you. 

Here’s the link to Matt Maher’s VEVO if you’d like to listen to Lord I Need You. 

What song is on your heart today?



*Song Title: Lord I Need You, Artist: Matt Maher, Album: All The People Said Amen, 2013 Provident Label Group, LLC, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment, Writers: Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher, © 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)