Recently, I saw one of my favorite artists, Andrew Peterson, live in concert. His new album, Counting Stars was released recently, and it's been my most played album of the last two weeks. I would highly recommend it and any of AP's music; he's talented and insightful, and his heart for God shows through in his work. This particular song is the final song of his new album and probably my favorite.It catches me off guard each time I hear it...I find myself choking on the words as I am reminded of the transitory reality of all that I too often trust as permanent. I've often struggled with articulating my feelings about what Andrew calls "the reckoning" but this song gives words to the desires of my heart. I can't be reminded often enough that there is a great coming reality when the curtain will be lifted and we will look God full in the face, and I too long for that day.
I can see the storm descending on the hill tonight
Tall trees are bending to your will tonight
Let the mighty bow down
At the thundering sound of your voice
I can hear the howling wind and feel the rain tonight
Every drop a prophet in your name tonight
And the words that they sing
They are washing me clean, but
How long until this curtain is lifted?
How long is this the song that we sing?
How long until the reckoning?
And I know you hear the cries of every soul tonight
You see the teardrops as they roll tonight
Down the faces of saints
Who grow weary and faint in your fields
And the wicked roam the cities and the streets tonight
But when the God of love and thunder speaks tonight
I believe You will come
Your justice be done, but
How long until this curtain is lifted?
How long is this the song that we sing?
How long until the reckoning?
You are holiness and grace
You are fury and rest
You are anger and love
You curse and you bless
You are mighty and weak
You are silence and song
You are plain as the day,
But you have hidden your face—
For how long? How long?
And I am standing in the silence of the reckoning
The storm is past and rest is beckoning
Mighty God, how I fear you
How I long to be near you, O Lord
How long until this curtain is lifted?
How long is this the song that we sing?
How long until the reckoning?
And I know that I don’t know what I’m asking
But I long to look you full in the face
I am ready for the reckoning
