Throughout the season of Lent, we’ll be posting various songs that will help us engage in this season. Music is a helpful way of engaging both our minds and our affections as we meditate on truths of Scripture. This week’s Lenten song meditation will be “Not In Me”, a song written by Eric Schumacher and David Ward and sung by Aaron Ivey on The Gospel Coalition’s “Songs For The Book of Luke”.

(Verse 1)
No list of sins I have not done, no list of virtues I pursue
No list of those I am not like can earn myself a place with you
O God! Be merciful to me. I am a sinner through and through
My only hope of righteousness is not in me but only you

(Verse 2)
No humble dress, no fervent prayer, no lifted hands no tearful song,
No recitation of the truth can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus’ life. My debt was paid by Jesus death.
My weary load was borne by Him and He alone can give me rest.

(Verse 3)
No separation from the world, no work I do, no gift I give
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands, I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again. The pow’r of death is overthrown!
My God is merciful to me and merciful in Christ alone.

(Tag)
My righteousness is Jesus’ life. My debt was paid by Jesus’ death.
My weary load was borne by him, and He alone can give me rest
And He alone can give me rest.

1) Why do you think God shows His mercy to you? Verse 1 reminds us that it’s not because you stayed away from a list of sins or pursued a list of virtues. Verse 2 tells us that it’s not through more prayer or more expressive worship! Verse 3 declares it’s not by separating ourselves from the world, or work, or generosity. God’s mercy flows out of who He is and what Christ has done. God’s mercy is not in response to your life, but rather Christ’s life & death.

2) Take time to remember in this season that your righteousness comes from Christ alone! Remember, rejoice, and rest in this amazing truth.

Throughout the season of Lent, we’ll be posting various songs that will help us engage in this season. Music is a helpful way of engaging both our minds and our affections as we meditate on truths of Scripture. This week we’ll be looking at an old hymn by Philip Bliss slightly reworked by the folks at Austin Stone called “Hallelujah What A Savior” (aka “Man of Sorrows, What A Name”). If you’ve been around this last month, we’ve sung it a few times. If you want to purchase the track, click here.

(Verse 1)
Man of sorrows, what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What Savior

(Verse 2)
Stand unclean, no one else could
In my place condemned He stood
Now His nearness is my good
Hallelujah! What a Savior

(Chorus)
Hallelujah, praise to the one
Whose blood has pardoned me
Oh what a Savior, Redeemer and King
Your love has rescued me

(Verse 3)
Lifted up was He to die
“It is finished!” was His cry
Now in Heaven lifted high
Hallelujah! What a Savior

(Verse 4)
When He comes, our Glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah! What a Savior
Hallelujah! What a Savior

(Chorus)
Hallelujah, praise to the one
Whose blood has pardoned me
Oh what a Savior, Redeemer and King
Your love has rescued me

1) This hymn starts with the line, “Man of sorrows, what a name for the Son of God who came…” This is a reference to Isaiah 53:3-6, so take some time to read through that passage, seeing that Jesus took your sin & sorrow upon Himself on the cross. Thank Him for doing this!

2) Do you see yourself as One who needed and needs pardon? Do you see yourself as one who needed and needs saving? Confess your need before God. Praise Him for being a Savior, Redeemer, & King.

3) Think on His return in glory, where finally we’ll be free from sin. Let your Savior’s return fill you with a deep sense of hope this season.

Throughout the season of Lent, we’ll be posting various songs that will help us engage in this season. Music is a helpful way of engaging both our minds and our affections as we meditate on truths of Scripture. This week we’ll be listening to “To Thee I Come”, a song on Red Mountain’s album “All Things New” and sung by one of my favorite singer/songwriters Thad Cockrell. If you want to buy the song or the album, click here.

(Verse 1)
To Thee I come a sinner poor
And wait for mercy at Thy door
Indeed, I’ve nowhere else to flee
Oh God, be merciful to me

(Chorus 1)
To Thee I come a sinner weak
And scarce know how to pray or speak
From fear and weakness set me free
Oh God be merciful to me!

(Verse 2)
To Thee I come a sinner vile
Upon me Lord vouchsafe to smile
Mercy through blood I make my plea
Oh God be merciful to me!

(Chorus 2)
To Thee I come a sinner great
And well Thou knowest all my state
Yet full forgiveness is with Thee
Oh God be merciful to me!

(Verse 3)
To Thee I come a sinner lost
Nor have I aught wherein to trust
But where Thou art, Lord, I would be
Oh God be merciful to me!

(Chorus 3)
To glory bring me Lord at last
And there when all my sins are passed
With all the saints I’ll then agree
God was merciful to me!
God was merciful to me!

1) This song provides us a few descriptions of how we come to God: a sinner poor, weak, vile, great, and lost. These are reminiscent of the tax collector who approached God and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” in Luke 18:9-14. As we approach God, may we approach with a deep sense of humility this season.

2) Verse 2 says, “Mercy through blood I make my plea.” On what basis do we ask for mercy from God? Here we are reminded that it’s only through the blood of Christ that we ultimately find mercy and cleansing. Thank Him for His blood shed for your sins!

3) The last verse reminds us of our glorious end in Christ. One day we will be with God in glory and all our sins will be wiped away. One thing that won’t be wiped away is the worship that we’ll be pouring out on God for all eternity as we thank Him for the mercy that is ours in Christ! Take time this season of Lent to thank Him for this beautiful and hopeful truth.