This month’s Lifeway Songs Worship Song of the Month is “Revive Us” – by Kirk Kirkland and Cliff Duren.
To view the video of Evidence performing Revive Us, click here.
In the years I’ve been an exclusive Lifeway Songs writer, one of the enormous benefits has been the opportunity to co-write with some very gifted people. And the best part of those writing sessions is often the conversation that happens when you first sit down that day. Mix those ingredients with the chance to be with a marvelous musician, and an even better Christian brother, and you have a recipe for inspiration. Just such a day took place a couple of years ago in the beautiful chapel at Brentwood Baptist Church with Cliff Duren. As we began to catch up on our family and church ministry happenings, there was an unusual heaviness that began to settle. It wasn’t sadness. It was solidarity. Our hearts were knit together, as at other times. As we talked about the ways of the world, and the state of the Church, we wanted to write an urgent prayer that believers in Christ could sing as a heart cry.
This is the truth that we found ourselves agreeing on: Apart from the power of Almighty God, we have no hope of living holy lives, demonstrating the love of Jesus, or reaching a dying world with the life-giving Gospel. We need God’s creative, resurrection power, and His Word has promised it to us.
“[Jesus] said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ “ (Acts 1:7-8)
But “with great power comes great responsibility.” (Uncle Ben Parker)
And we believe a significant part of that great responsibility is humility. The heaviness Cliff and I felt that day was the sense of our desperate need to humble ourselves before the LORD so we could truly know Him. And so we can truly make Him known.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:8-10)
So, these are the words we wrote:
To listen to “Revive Us” go to lifewaysongs.com
To purchase resources for “Revive Us” go to LifewayWorship.com.
To listen to and buy Evidence’s new album, “Revive Us!,“ visit iTunes.
Kirk Kirkland has led Evidence Ministries, a concert ministry that has brought him to stages nationally and around the world. Kirk also has a master’s degree in counseling and is utilizing this training as the Minister of Pastoral Counseling at Judson Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, where he is also the Minister of Music and Worship.
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