Constant by Andrew Marcus is the newest worship release by the BEC Recordings worship artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The project features fellow worshipers Paul Baloche and Leeland and has several fresh new offerings for congregational singing including the radio single "You Are With Me," which was written by Andrew Marcus, Scott Cash and Paul Baloche. The song and album speaks of how God is our constant, and He is with us in every situation. I had the chance to speak with Andrew about "You Are with Me."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

This song was written during a tough season in my life. My wife and I were battling several things with our health, and we didn't know the cause of our illnesses and were trying to figure it out. At the same time, we ended up finding out that there was a lot of black mold in the place where we were living, and it was affecting my wife's asthma. We were giving our thirty day notice to move out and had no place to live. I was also flying out to Nashville to meet up with Scott Cash to write and record this album. It was a stressful time and an overwhelming season. 

I remember a few days before flying out, I was sitting on the couch one night with my guitar preparing songs, and I heard my wife coughing and coughing and having trouble breathing. Paul Baloche has told me and other people in his songwriting training to sing our prayers to the Lord. I remember strumming my guitar, so confused about what was next, and struggling with where we would go and how I was going to lead my new family, as we were married for just a year at the time. I was singing my prayers to the Lord, and this chorus was birthed as I was spending time with Him. His presence was so tangible. I just knew that He was there and that He was a part of all of it. He never left me, and He never forsakes me. He is with me and guiding me and in control of all things.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV): "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:9 (VOICE): "This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 41:13 (VOICE): After all, it is I, the Eternal One your God, who has hold of your right hand, Who whispers in your ear, "Don't be afraid. I will help you."

Hebrews 11:8 (VOICE): "By faith Abraham heard God's call to travel to a place he would one day receive as an inheritance; and he obeyed, not knowing where God's call would take him."

Psalm 71:1-3 (NKJV): "In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my Rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress."

Romans 8:38-40 (NKJV): "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What is the takeaway message?

I had this peace beyond all understanding in writing this song. The situation didn't change, but my heart and my mind did change. That's how much peace I had. I knew it would all be okay. I remember thinking it would all be alright, and as I was praying, that's how this song was birthed. 

I know in the middle of the chaos and the storms of life, whatever that is in our journeys, the Lord is with us. That Deuteronomy passage is an encouragement and a promise that is with us today. I worked with Scott Cash and Paul Baloche on the song, and we finished it up together. The song means a lot to me on the album. It reminds me that when we all go through journeys in life, that God is with us. He is strong and mighty to save. He never leaves or forsakes us. 

That's the prayer, encouragement and goal in sharing this song with churches. We sing it at our church to remind us of this truth that Jesus is always with us. He'll never walk out on us. He'll never abandon us. He's always by our side. I pray that every worshiper is reminded of that truth when they sing it, to know it and believe it and to live as if they know it. My desire is that these songs bless and fuel churches and listeners everywhere with a passion and hunger for being in an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray these songs encourage and remind us that God is constant in every season, trustworthy through every circumstance, and faithful and sovereign in every trial.

Lyrics:
When my eyes cannot see
I will trust You in the valley
I won't fear anything
For Your presence it surrounds me

You are the One who lifts me up, when I am weak You are strong
You're faithful You're faithful
You are the One who brings me hope
Your love will never let me go

You're faithful You're faithful
In the darkest hour
In the middle of the raging sea
When I'm in the battle
Lord You are with me
Your light is shining
You make the darkness flee
You are my rescue
Lord You are with me

In the desert in the flood
Lord Your promise is enough for me
You are gracious You are God
Never failing God Your love endures

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can trust God. As followers of Jesus, we know that we can trust God's Word. We are all a work in progress. Have faith and let God "work all things together for good." Spend time with God and let Him redeem and restore you. We are not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what's He's started in all of us who've put all of our hope and trust in Jesus for our salvation. 

This song helps remind me of the biblical truth that God sent His only begotten Son Jesus to Earth to seek and to save the lost. No matter where you are in your walk with Jesus, this song is a salvation message that Jesus through The Holy Spirit is by your side. What a wonderful, loving and gracious God we serve. I am so thankful to God for saving me through His Son Jesus. 

Jesus is acquainted with our grief and anxiety. Knowing God is near, and knowing biblically from Romans that "if God is for us, who can be against us" assures us that there's nothing to fear. When we feel like we are on shaky ground and we are dealing with the uncertainty of our situations, the economy and our world, this song allows us to dwell on the unshakable nature of God. When all else fades away, He will remain.

In "You Are with Me," we get to sing to our Father, God, about His attributes as our perfect Father who will never leave or forsake us. This worship song connects to multiple Bible passages. God loves you so much. Lean on Him and He'll give you strength. This song is all for God's glory. When we are in communion with God, it is joyful and not a burden. I sing along with the truth of this song, and rejoice in the lyrics: "Your light is shining, You make the darkness flee, You are my rescue, Lord You are with me." Amen to that!

Watch the music video below.