Chapter 43
Good Monday Morning to this week 44 of 2020
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27.6
We just about all knows Cory Asbury as the guy who sings “Reckless Love”
Remember the lyrics with “leaving the 99”:
“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah”
Yesterday evening I heard the song “Faithful Wounds” on a livestream and it truly got me by surprise. We’re so used to the smashing hits coming out, packed with hope songs, upbeat texts. Then comes an album packed with deep, thoughtful songs as if not caring for this previous mega-hit or much for his record company as a whole.
Fair warning: this album is not for the weak of heart. To Love a Fool is packed with heavy and raw emotion about encountering God, biblical truths and the messiness sin. The lyrics are not sugar coated paired with an upbeat poppy sound to make it seem like a happy-go-lucky kind of life; they are honest, and hard to hear sometimes. Of course there is the everlasting truths of God that are more positive and inspiring painted throughout as well, but there is plenty of real-life grit within these stories too.
Let’s look at the lyrics:
Vers 1
God I’m wrestling with the way then again, again
I am patience, a disease, in this cage from mice and men
They say “Boy you better keep running” but this place I can’t sustain
But my head knows to trust you but the heart of me is slain
Chorus
Faithful are the wounds of a friend
Faithful are the dealings of your hand
The troubles and the trials like the gold refining fire
Faithful are the wounds of a friend
Vers 2
God these questions, that just won’t leave me alone, alone, alone
Will this crushing ever end?
Or is this ache now my home?
Am I a prisoner of hope? But just the warden of my pain
When my head knows to trust you but the heart of me is slain
Chorus 2
And faithful are the wounds of a friend
Faithful like the tides pulled by your hand
I’ve learned to piece the wage that pushed my soul into a cage
Faithful are the wounds of a friend
“Faithful Wounds” a very impactful songs. It’s a cry out to God with the reminder that these trials, tribulations and sufferings we encounter in this life are necessary for our growth and sanctification. It also is a reminder that Jesus endured the wounds of the cross to save me and you from our sins and offer us eternal life in the love of Christ.
Songs overflowing with sensitive topics, it seems like the right way to go. Thank you Cory Asbury for not shying away from the tougher and messier things we do experience, feel, think and do, as well as look at the not so pretty parts of ourselves too. It’s very refreshing to hear something so raw, open a dare and convicting shared on an album.
Wishing you a open and honest dialog with God this week!
Philemon
Ps: The Youtube Link to the Song: https://youtu.be/nrO-2RRkLEQ