Great Christian Music – Awesome God

Decided to pick a “newer” song this time around.

Rich Mullins, the author of this praise song, delighted in doing the unexpected. He was raised in a Quaker church that celebrated quietness and waiting upon God in stillness. But when he went to bible college, he formed a rock band and, later, a touring group called the Ragamuffin Band. He had a zany sense of humour and at the same time a deep appreciation for St. Thomas of Assisi. Like St. Thomas, Mullins liked to work with poor children, and he spent the last two years of his life on a Navajo Indian Reservation in the Southwest of America.

Once as he was driving across country on his way to a youth conference, he began to doze off. Trying to keep himself awake, Mullins began preaching to himself. The sleepier he got, the more exuberant he got in his preaching; by the time he arrived at the youth conference, he had written a new song called “Awesome God.” He didn’t think it was a great song, but the kids at the conference loved it, and soon its popularity spread across the country.  

   

Scriptures: Psalm 48:1, Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 40:28

Themes: God the Father, God’s Power and Love

When He rolls up His sleeves

He ain't just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There's thunder in His footsteps

And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn't joking when He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood
His return is very close and so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

(Chorus x2)
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

(Chorus Repeat x5)

Our God is an awesome God
Our God is an awesome God

Rich Mullins (1955 – 1997)

Information taken from; The Complete Book of Hymns by William J Petersen and Ardythe Petersen.