Sojourn worship leader Joel Gerdis is also a fixture on the Louisville music scene, through bands such as 49th Star and The Muckrackers. He’s also a talented songwriter — he contributed songs and well as vocals on Over The Grave: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts, Volume One. Today he shares the story behind “May Your Power Rest On Me,” which he wrote with Neil Robins. This is the third brand new song that we’ve added to our Facebook music player, and also Myspace.com/sojournrecords.
Listen To “May Your Power Rest On Me” on Facebook
Listen To “May Your Power Rest On Me” on Myspace
Now, Joel tells the “story behind the song” to this powerful song of petition, from Over The Grave:
Thinking out loud - Joel Gerdis
A major theme in my life has always been God’s power in my weakness. I don’t even know the title of the original hymn this song is derived from except online it was titled Hymn #15 by Isaac Watts. When I read the lyrics I imagined the moment God gave me a glimpse of His holiness, and in contrast, my profound impurity. Until we get in front of a spiritual mirror and see the ultimate judgment we deserve we tend to look at salvation as an achievement of our own, and our “righteous” deeds as leverage with God. Until we see our wickedness we have no appreciation for grace because we feel that we are not completely undeserving of it.
The world thrives on, embraces, and lusts for power so when Isaac Watts penned “I’ll rejoice in my weakness” it was a verdict on the status quo. It reflects the “upside-down-ness” of the gospel. We have no power or leverage, nor should we seek it. We do not return evil for evil. The last is first and the greatest is the servant.
The idea of God sustaining us in the midst of trial or temptation does not paint a picture of Him removing the temptation or trial although sometimes He does. For me I think of the passage referring to God not giving us more than we can bear. If we had no temptation or trials, how would the world see how we as Christians respond in the power of Christ?
The image of God’s power resting on us reminds me of the Holy Spirit descending as a dove on Jesus when John baptized Him. Although that is probably the extent of what Watts meant I also think of the rest and relief we receive when we learn we can stop earning or attaining our position. We are saved; we have received our inheritance of salvation. It is done. Let’s start building the kingdom and restoring creation.
The demo version I submitted of this song only had one verse and a chorus. That is a testament to the power of collaboration on this song and the album. Neil suggested we write a bridge and the product was a prodigal awakening.  ”The harder I tried to climb, the closer I was to find how great is my weakness”. It is not until we are at the end of our efforts, talents, or our wills that we find we are incapable, limited, and ultimately unsatisfied. Only God can achieve for us what we can not. Only God can make our talents truly valuable with holy purpose. Only God can bring genuine and ultimate satisfaction. We are not guaranteed to come to this realization; a right understanding of the gospel. If we do it is pure grace. If we respond to the gospel it is pure grace. God initiates and we respond “May Your power rest on us”.
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Remember that we’re releasing Over The Grave on Tuesday, June 16 and we’ll throw a big Louisville release party on Friday the 19th at 7 pm at Southeast Christian Church’s new, state of the art venue, “The Block.” The band will play every song from Over The Grave, and singer-songwriter Jamie Barnes will open with a set of original material, including a new song cycle based on the Old Testament.
And now for fun, here is a short video I shot on a palm-sized recorder with producer Neil Robins and drummer Alex O’Nan, right before the percussion recording session for “May Your Power Rest On Me.” You’ll witness Alex doing the classic “Just nod your head and act like you’re paying attention, even if you’re not.” — Bobby Gilles
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