Touch, Worship

Implications for our lives as Christians

Ancient Words

Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
ey resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.

CHORUS:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

CHORUS x4
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

© 2001, Lynn DeShazo

THIS MAY NOT BE A SONG that is familiar to many people and neither would the songwriter be. However, if you have sung any of the following songs, “More Precious an Silver,” “Lead Me To The Rock,” “Turn My Heart,” “Be Magnified,” and “In Your Presence, O God,” then you have sung the creative eïŹ€orts of Alabama-based Methodist composer, Lynn DeShazo.1

What is unique about this song is that while it reads rather hymn-like, it has the distinction of being popularised by Michael W. Smith, a very popular Contemporary Christian Music artiste and composer in the 1990s. Yet in my view, what is even more important about this song is the possibility it oïŹ€ers in renewing the worship expressions of traditional worship.

Consider the possibility of using this musical setting prior to Scripture reading. Rarely do Protestant churches sing a song prior to the reading of the Scripture, but when we do, we usually sing Amy Grant’s “ y Word is a Lamp unto my Feet”. There is always a need to widen the song repertoire of the church and this work by DeShazo is quite appropriate, particularly if we take time to read the words before we get caught up with the attractive melody.

Theologically speaking, this work speaks quietly but paradoxically loudly about God’s Word and its implications for our lives as Christians. Read through the lyrics of the song – can you hear the words challenging and examining us regarding our spiritual walk?

Are you aware that the Scripture resounds with God’s heart? If that is so, how are we relating to it? How serious are we in allowing God’s Word to guide us in our daily living? Or do we just go through the motion of listening to the pastor or worship leader read the words while we busy ourselves with our iPhone and other distractions.

Is the Word of God changing us? Can we find ourselves changing because of the proclamation of God’s Word? For those of us in worship leadership, have we taken the task of proclamation with due regard or do we rush to church five minutes before the service and stammer and stumble our way through our assigned role as the Scripture reader?

Here is a simple lyrical song with several weighty questions that throws a spotlight on our souls and spiritual life and asks quite pointedly: Are we prepared to be examined by the Holy Spirit?

Video:

http://www.lynndeshazo.com/music.html

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1 http://newhopemusic.com/FCSongwriters/FCSLynnDeShazo.htm, and http:// www.lynndeshazo.com/about.html . Internet websites accessed on July 5, 2010

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