Come and Make All Things New

I find my hand too quickly reaches to change the station when Christian music comes on the radio.

It’s not that I don’t like music that focuses on its Creator. I do. I may even say that it is the most true sort of music, as it expresses the most True of realities.

It’s just that most Christian music isn’t really about God. Sure, God is a character in the song, but the protagonist is almost always the omnipresent me. Or, if God is central, it’s his relationship to me that is most praised.

Maybe I’m just getting cynical, but I don’t particularly find these types of songs comforting. Sure, Jesus loves me, but what about everyone else? Yes, oh, how he loves us, but what about the earth we are killing? He brings restoration to my soul, but sometimes I look around and see only death.

Those who mourn long to be comforted by a more holistic hope. We long for the newness of Horatius Bonar’s hymn. Thankfully, some Christian songwriters are offering solace in these old truths.

All Things New

Come, Lord, and tarry not;
Bring the long looked for day;
O why these years of waiting here,
These ages of decay?

Come, for Thy saints still wait;
Daily ascends their sigh;
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”;
Does Thou not hear the cry?

O come and make all things new!
Come and make all things new!
O come and make all things new!
Build up this ruined earth
Come and make all things new.

Come, for creation groans,
Impatient of Thy stay,
Worn out with these long years of ill,
These ages of delay.

Come, for love waxes cold,
Its steps are faint and slow;
Faith now is lost in unbelief,
Hope’s lamp burns dim and low.

O come and make all things new!
Come and make all things new!
O come and make all things new!
Build up this ruined earth
Come and make all things new.

Adapted by Red Mountain Music.