When God Draws Near: May We Be Stilled

Here we are … Thanksgiving week. I have no idea how this is even possible. 2012 has flown by!

We are halfway through the When God Draws Near series and I’m working hard to get the devotions finished up and ready for you in a couple of weeks.

One of my favorite things is to provide ideas and resources for others. Last week I mentioned a playlist for meditating and keeping your heart and mind focused on the redemption story throughout the holiday season. Thankfully I am married to a Worship Leader and my amazing husband Scott helped me put together this list of songs.

A Pondering Heart Playlist

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Jesus Saves by Travis Cottrell—One of our favorite songs by Mr. Cottrell, my favorite line is, “Freedom’s calling, chains are falling, hope is dawning bright and new!”
Just As I Am by Travis Cottrell—Yeah, there will be several Travis arrangements on this list. But I love this old hymn made fresh with these words, “I come broken to be mended, I come wounded to be healed. I come desperate to be rescued, I come empty to be filled. I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb. And I’m welcomed with open arms, praise God, just as I am!”
Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave—Scott sang this a few weeks ago and I found myself in awe once again of this God who makes it possible for us to declare, “I am redeemed. You set me free. So I’ll shake off these heavy chains and wipe away every stain, ‘Cause I’m not who I used to be. I am redeemed.”
Unredeemed by Selah—I couldn’t make a play list without this song! It’s one of my favorites and I find myself undone by the simple truth “when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord it will not be unredeemed.”
Blessed Redeemer by Casting Crowns—We can never look at the manger without seeing the cross. The baby born in a stable would one day carry a cross. “Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer, seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree. Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading, blind and unheeding, dying for me.”
Hope Of The Broken World by Selah—I hadn’t heard this one before but Scott said it was perfect for this playlist so I listened and, as usual, he was right! “You are salvation. You are the joy of the earth. Restoration comes, hope of the broken world.” Beautiful!
Welcome To Our World by Chris Rice—This is another one that leaves me undone. “Fragile finger sent to heal us, tender brow prepared for thorn. Tiny heart whose blood will save us, unto us is born, unto us is born.
Joseph’s Lullaby by Mercy Me—Go ahead and get some tissues for this one! “Go to sleep my Son. Baby, close your eyes. Soon enough You’ll save the world but for now, dear child of mine, oh my Jesus, sleep time.”
Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) by Amy Grant—Can you imagine Mary’s prayers whispered to this Baby, her son but God’s Son, her Redeemer? “Breath of heaven, hold me together, be forever near me, breath of heaven. Breath of heaven, light of my darkness, pour over me your holiness, for you are holy. Breath of heaven.”
Here With Us by Joy Williams—”Hallelujah, hallelujah, heaven’s love reaching down to save the world. Hallelujah, hallelujah, Son of God, Servant King, here with us, You’re here with us.” Immanuel … God with us.

Here is one last song you might want to add to your list, Mystery by Selah—Gorgeous and powerful, the mystery of God-Made-Flesh who came to save, to redeem, to pay our price.

In the chaos and craziness of this Thanksgiving week, I pray you will make time for stillness and pondering. Last year I shared a few ideas for having a happy Thanksgiving. Perhaps those suggestions combined with some of these songs will help you savor the season of gratitude and usher in the season of advent, preparing your heart for Him.