Recently I wrote an article about my frustration with a phrase in a familiar hymn being used in a modern worship song: He Never Has Failed Me YET.
My dislike stems from what appears to be the implication that while God hasn’t failed the believer in the past, he still might.
Ugh! He hasn’t and he won’t. Period.
Another hymn came to mind which I believe leads believers into an unhealthy relationship with God. You might be familiar with the gospel hymn, “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.”
I like the thought. I want to get all wet in the downspout of God’s grace and mercy. My problem with the song is that it sounds like a petulant, ungrateful three year old is singing.
The chorus goes like this:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
Mercy-drops round us are falling, but that’s not enough, God. We want more. Super-soak us. Saturation is what we want.
On a daily basis, however, God sends his mercy-drops. They’re all around. They are new every morning. They are timely. They are refreshing. They are God’s provision.
Are we even aware? Do we thank God?
I will confess, I prefer “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” to “Showers of Blessing.” The chorus has a much different feel:
Great Is Thy faithfulness, Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
The truth of these words comes straight from scripture: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him’ (Lamentations 3:22-24, NIV).”
Some might argue we do face times when life leaves us parched and we need God to pour out his grace and mercy in tsunami waves on dry and weary souls.
I agree. I’ve been there.
Those times, thankfully, don’t come every day. But God’s mercies do. And they don’t always come as flash floods. No, there as gentle as the morning dew, and refreshing to our spirit.
Don’t miss the mercy while you plead for the drenching.
Pot of Manna 
I had issue with the YET in the song as well. I think it’s just an addition to make it lyrically pleasing, but sadly it also makes it theologically unsound. 😦
I like the Hillsong Worship song, “Who You Say I Am.” Here’s the bridge:
I am chosen
Not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who You say I am
Blessings,
Ginger
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I really like that one! I’ll have to look it up so I can listen to the whole thing. Thanks!!
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Very true Tina! There are some songs I simply cannot sing! All of the “I Surrender All”-type songs…there are many choruses like that…where it’s all about “me” rather than about “God” and we’re telling Him all we’re doing (or going to do) for Him…some of it is just not legit and I feel plain guilty when I recite words that I know aren’t true…even as much as I wish they were. Songs like this one are the ones I lean toward…my need for and my reliance on Him, what HE can do and has done…praise to Him…not my bragging rights. Thanks for the article!
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