Moments in Time

I purchased Steven Curtis Chapman's new album "Beauty Will Rise". It is the much-anticipated first release from Chapman since the tragic death of his 5-year old daughter, Maria, just 18-months ago.

Simply put, this album is a musical masterpiece. It contains 12 beautifully-written, mostly acoustic songs with understated accompaniment that accents the intimate, personal nature of the lyrics. This album is primed to actively minister to all who listen to its melodies.

Indeed, listening to this entire album in one sitting is a moving, worshipful experience. The songs segue together to form a kind of Psalm of Lament--questions, cries, and pain are heard in every song. Yet the heartache expressed is couched within a deep faith and steady hope in the absolute, good sovereignty of God. Chapman sings through the suffering, pointing us to a God who sees and knows and controls all things; to a God who will carry us through to That Day when it all be made right (Rev. 22:3-5). Taken as a whole, this album unequivocally echoes the refrain of the prophet Isaiah: "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock" (Is. 26:4). In this respect, "Beauty Will Rise" is a tremendously God-honoring work.

Undoubtedly, this album will minister in profound ways to many who are suffering. It gives emotional expression to what it means to grieve in faith; to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor. 6:10).  I recommend it highly. I already have several people in mind to whom I intend to gift the album.

While each track is uniquely powerful, the current high-point of the album for me is Track 7, "Our God Is in Control". I cannot find the lyrics online, so I've transcribed them below.

Coupled with a beautiful melody and Chapman's evocative vocal quality, the lyrics of this song epitomize the theme of the entire album which commends to its listener this important truth: life is very hard, but God is very good and he is worthy of our worship.


"Our God Is in Control"

This is not how it should be
This is not how is could be
But this is how it is
And our God is in control.

This is not how it will be
When we finally will see
We'll see with our own eyes
He was always in control.

And we'll sing holy, holy, holy is our God
And we will finally really understand what it means.
So we'll sing holy, holy, holy is our God
While we're waiting for That Day.

This is not where we planned to be
When we started this journey
But this is where we are
And our God is in control.

Though this first taste is bitter
There will be sweetness forever
When we finally taste and see
That our God is in control.

And we'll sing holy, holy, holy is our God
And we will finally really understand what it means.
So we'll sing holy, holy, holy is our God
While we're waiting for That Day.
We're waiting for That Day.
We'll keep on waiting for That Day.
And we will know our God is in control.

Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
Our God is in control

Holy, Holy, Holy
Our God is in control

Holy, Holy, Holy

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