Asbury began leading worship at his church in North Carolina at the age of 17. Even as a kid, music has always had a profound impact on him, "I'd find a CD that I really loved, that really moved my heart and just sit in my room, silent and still and just listen." He was originally planning to attend UNC Chapel Hill when the Lord redirected his path. Through a few friends who had just graduated the onething internship in Kansas City, he was encouraged to go and check it out for himself. "Thinking the internship was solely dedicated to raising up young worship leaders, I decided to come. I soon found that the Lord had tricked me into something much bigger than myself." During this internship each intern was required to sit in the prayer room for long hours each day. After 6 months he "realized that this was what I was made for. To sit before Him and love Him."
Asbury says that his songs usually begin with a gentle nudge or whisper from the Holy Spirit that arises out of tenderness in quiet time with God. "Usually, the Holy Spirit will give me a melody or a chord progression and that's where it all begins. From there, I continue to ask Him what He's saying...I ask, 'How can I express what I am feeling through music?'" His goal through his music is that hearts would fall more in love with Jesus, and that a deep longing to know and love Him more would be awakened, "That when people listen to my songs, they would find themselves in His presence. That people would know the delight of God over them and truly find enjoyment in spending time with Him." Cory, who currently leads worship six times a week with co-leader Matt Gilman, is married to Anna Asbury, a prophetic singer and dancer at the House of Prayer. He has dedicated his life to fasting, prayer and worship, for the raising up of houses of prayer all across the world.
Let Me See Your Face
Cory Asbury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My simple mind has come to find that I'm drawn to infinity
Breaking the barriers and barricades only to see your face
My eyes have caught a glimpse and I just can't turn away
I'm drawn to the flame, drawn to the fire,
Drawn to the one whose eyes burn with desire
I've burned all my bridges, God, I've counted the cost
So shine your light until I'm blind to this world and its lies
Spotless and white, no blemish in sight
Offering my life as a holy sacrifice
I need you, Christ, to ascend that holy hill
So give me clean hands, a pure heart, the knowledge of your will
As the war rolls on and the battle rages here I take my stand
'Cause I know one day I'll stand before you in the holy land
Let me see your face, God
I'm crying out for you (I'm crying out, I'm crying out for you)
Open up my eyes to see your beauty, God
Whoa, whoa
I wanna see you in your splendor, behold you in your glory
Gaze upon the beauty that burns bright before me
There's not a god whose eyes flicker with flames of jealousy
Whose desire is towards me, never ignores me
I've been awakened to love and can't move my gaze
Though the floods roll my way and the waters, they rage
Your love cannot be quenched, hindered or encaged
You're the lion and the lamb, fully God, fully man
My eyes have been enlightened with these words that I've been told
You become what you behold, Holy Spirit, take control
When my flesh is weak, your face I'll seek until my heart is yours
Show me the hope of your calling, who I am in you, my Lord
Cover the earth with your glory like the waters to the seas
You've ravished my heart, it's only you I see
It's only in you that I'm free, come and liberate me
One thing I have desired and it's you alone I seek
Whoa, whoa whoa, whoa whoa, whoa
Blessed are the pure in heart that fight the good fight
Who leave it all behind to lay ahold of the prize
Eagerly awaiting the return of the Christ
We're longing for, we're waiting for the Spirit and the Bride to say "Come"
In Cory Asbury's song "Let Me See Your Face", he begins by reflecting on how simple men are drawn to simplicity, but his own simple mind is drawn to infinity. He longs to break through the barriers and barricades in his life to see the face of God. As a result of catching a glimpse, he is drawn to the flame, the fire, and the one whose eyes burn with desire. In his pursuit, he has burned all his bridges and counted the cost, so he asks God to shine His light until he is blind to this world and its lies. He wants the windows of his soul to be purified like a spotless and white bride offering her life as a holy sacrifice. He needs Christ to ascend that holy hill and give him clean hands, a pure heart, and the knowledge of His will. He takes his stand in the midst of this battle, knowing that one day he will stand before God in the holy land.
Throughout the song, Asbury reflects on his deep longing to see God's face and behold His beauty. He wants to gaze upon the glory and splendor of God, and be awakened to love. No other god flickers with flames of jealousy and has such a desire toward him. Asbury emphasizes that God's love cannot be quenched, hindered, or encaged. He recognizes that it is only when his heart is fixed on God that he is truly free.
As the song progresses, Asbury encourages those who are fighting the good fight and eagerly awaiting the return of Christ. He longs for the Spirit and the Bride to say "Come", as he waits for the day when he will be in the presence of God. Overall, "Let Me See Your Face" is a passionate expression of a heart that longs for God and desires to see His face.
Line by Line Meaning
Simple men are simply drawn to simplicity
People are naturally drawn to simplicity in life.
My simple mind has come to find that I'm drawn to infinity
Despite my simple mind, I am attracted to the endless nature of God.
Breaking the barriers and barricades only to see your face
I am willing to overcome all obstacles to have a glimpse of your divine presence.
My eyes have caught a glimpse and I just can't turn away
Once I have seen you, I cannot look away, and I am drawn to you even more.
I'm drawn to the flame, drawn to the fire, Drawn to the one whose eyes burn with desire
I am irresistibly drawn to the passion and desire that emanates from you.
I've burned all my bridges, God, I've counted the cost So shine your light until I'm blind to this world and its lies So the windows of my soul are purified just like your bride: Spotless and white, no blemish in sight
I have given up everything for you and ask you to purify my soul so that I become blameless in your sight.
Offering my life as a holy sacrifice I need you, Christ, to ascend that holy hill So give me clean hands, a pure heart, the knowledge of your will
I give my life to you and ask you to help me become pure and holy, so I can draw near to you.
As the war rolls on and the battle rages here I take my stand 'Cause I know one day I'll stand before you in the holy land
Despite the challenges I face in life, I will stand firm and remain faithful, knowing that someday I will meet you face to face.
Let me see your face, God I'm crying out for you (I'm crying out, I'm crying out for you) Open up my eyes to see your beauty, God Whoa, whoa
I am desperately crying out to see you and ask you to unveil your beauty to me.
I wanna see you in your splendor, behold you in your glory Gaze upon the beauty that burns bright before me
I desire to witness your majesty and bask in the light of your glory.
There's not a god whose eyes flicker with flames of jealousy Whose desire is towards me, never ignores me
No other god can love me as deeply and completely as you do, and you always have eyes on me.
Your love cannot be quenched, hindered or encaged You're the lion and the lamb, fully God, fully man
Your love is unquenchable and unconquerable, and you are both powerful and gentle, fully divine and fully human.
My eyes have been enlightened with these words that I've been told You become what you behold, Holy Spirit, take control
Your words have opened my eyes to the truth that I become like you when I look at you, and I ask the Holy Spirit to take control of my life.
When my flesh is weak, your face I'll seek until my heart is yours Show me the hope of your calling, who I am in you, my Lord
In times of weakness, I will seek your face until my heart belongs to you, and I ask you to reveal my identity and purpose in you.
Cover the earth with your glory like the waters to the seas You've ravished my heart, it's only you I see It's only in you that I'm free, come and liberate me
I pray for your glory to spread throughout the earth like the seas, and to you alone I give my heart. Only through you can I find true freedom and liberation.
One thing I have desired and it's you alone I seek
My only desire is to seek and find you, God.
Blessed are the pure in heart that fight the good fight Who leave it all behind to lay ahold of the prize Eagerly awaiting the return of the Christ We're longing for, we're waiting for the Spirit and the Bride to say "Come"
Those who stay pure and fight for what is good are blessed. We will leave everything behind to gain the ultimate reward and eagerly wait for your return. We long for the Spirit and the Bride to invite you back to us.
Contributed by Lauren B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.