Hymn Highlight: Show Us Christ
Written in 2011 by Doug Plank and Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Music, Show Us Christ focuses on the power of Christ as revealed in the word of God to save sinners. In my memory, I cannot think of many songs that so clearly lay out the doctrine of receiving the word of God in the context of the corporate worship service. In clear and accessible language, Show Us Christ helps us to ready our hearts to receive the feast of the preached word.
In the first verse, Show Us Christ brings forth the power of God’s word to bear fruit in the lives of believers. There is supernatural work being done when the Word is preached: God supernaturally opens the hearts and minds of believers so that they will apply the word to their lives.
The song then goes into the chorus, which is a reminder that God’s glory is revealed in a way through the preaching of the word. What a sweet reminder! The preached word is glorious and must be viewed as so in the congregation.
The second verse shows some of the effects of the word on the lives of unbelievers. Not only does God open our hearts to receive the word, but the Spirit supernaturally works to apply the word to our everyday lives. We who are tempted are guarded by the application of the word. We who are simple are made wise by the precepts of the word. We who are hungry are given the bread of life through the word. We who are enslaved to sin are freed by the revealed word of God. We who are poor in spirit are reminded of God’s never-ending treasures of unmerited mercy and grace.
Christians, we need the word of God to speak to us every day. We cannot go a day without it, and why would we want to? God has given us the words of eternal life; where else can we go? We have no need for other revelation or prophecy or “words.” We can go to the Bible, the very revealed word of God and God will show us Christ, revealing his very glory.
The preached word is not a slog to get through. The preached word is the primary event of the corporate worship service, where the glories revealed in Scripture are imparted to Christians who desperately hunger and thirst for this prepared feast. Show Us Christ helps us back into a high view of the preached word and reminds us of the glories found in the preaching event, when the treasure trove of God’s word is expounded for God’s people.