Then in 1996, “Your Beloved” became one of the first of my songs that Vineyard Music published and they featured on a worship CD called “Jesus Lead On”. At that point I realized that this song would not only minister to my local church but that it would have the opportunity to minister to worshipers from across the country and even in other parts of the world.
Over the years, I have received many e-mails, letters and messages from people expressing how much this song has blessed them and how God has used it to minister to them personally or to someone they know. The song has been recorded by a number of other musicians and artists as well used in weddings, anniversary celebrations, and even funerals. To be honest, this reality still amazes me and I am continually reminded of how incredible God truly is. He chooses to take simple things, such as a song, and use it for His glory.
The inspiration for the song originated out of a study that I was doing through the book of Job. Near the end of the book, God responds to Job’s questions in a multi-verse passage where He expounds upon the greatness of who He truly is and paints incredible imagery of His awesome creative powers in establishing the universe and creating all living things. What an inspiring and moving section of Scripture. In fact, through God’s revelation of Himself in these verses Job is cut to the quick and begins to repent and worship God. The end result is that God blesses and restores Job as he humbles himself and worships hi God.
I was awestruck by the interplay between Job’s call to God in the midst of his pain, woundedness and questions and God’s response with a revelation of His character and nature. Then just whenit seemed that the weight of God’s revelation was about to absolutely crush Job’s spirit, Job cried out to God in repentance and recognition of God’s greatness, and God heard his cry. God lovingly restores Job and blesses Him immensely. Job was beloved child of God and as he saw and understood the revelation and majesty of God he bowed, humbled himself, and worshiped. The response of God to Job’s humility and worship was to draw near and bless his beloved creation, Job.
These truths became the substance for the lyrics of Your Beloved. The first section focuses on the revelation of God’s greatness and moves to a pre-chorus that states the tension between the majesty of God and our comparative unworthiness. The chorus brings resolve with the truth that we are God’s beloved, His creation, the ones that He has called as chosen for His Kingdom and that He is unashamed to call us His beloved.