I cannot get the following song out of my mind by Matt Maher entitled, “Lord I need you.” Especially the line that says, “My one defense, my righteousness.” Do you get it? Do you understand what it means that you have been given the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? (II Cor. 5:21) It means we are RIGHT with God. It means when we fail, when we sin, when we fall, when we act inconsistently with who we really are that we can run boldly to the throne of grace! (Heb. 4:16 ) NOTHING can change the fact that you have been given HIS righteousness. You are in right standing with God and your behavior does NOT determine your identity. When the enemy says, “Hang your head! Run and hide! And you call yourself a Christian?!” You can hold your head high and say, “My one defense, my righteousness!” You are forgiven and the Father is waiting for you to come to your senses and come back to him. Just like the Father running to the prodigal son in Luke 15, HE is always pursuing and running TOWARD you. You are worthy and NOTHING changes that fact. Romans 8:1 tells us there is therefore NOW no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. And I love Romans 2:4 which tells us that God’s goodness brings us to repentance (a change of mind.) Do you know how good you have it? Change your mind and run TO HIM if you have failed!
Matt Maher – Lord, I Need You
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Yes, I have sang this song in church and that particular song lyric seems to be disturbing me, too. I thought that it should be ‘Christ’s righteousness’. But like one comment I read, if we see it in the entire context with the complete four verses, it would sound just right. Such as ” . . . Every hour I need You. My one defense, my (self-)righteousness (which I know is wrong). Oh God, how I need You”. When we sing the song at this single verse itself, it just sounds wrong (but is not). I believe the songwriter knows the truth that ‘we are God’s righteousness in Christ Jesus.’