Following the success of their hit singles "Just Say Jesus," and "The One I'm Running To," BEC Recordings artist 7eventh Time Down returns this year with their third major label release, God is on the Move. 

Talking about the heart behind the project, the band shares "All across the world we are seeing that God is still good. He still keeps His promises, God is faithful. He is redeeming all of us through Jesus. We believe revival is just around the corner! We believe God is in fact on the move."

The Kentucky-native group won a following with their 2011 debut, Alive in You, and the follow-up release Just Say Jesus. 7eventh Time Down is composed of Mikey Howard (vocals), Cliff Williams (bass), Eric Van Zant (guitar) and Austin Miller (drums), and each band member is fully focused on letting their songs be ministry. I had the chance to speak with lead singer Mikey Howard about their latest single, "Promises."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

We are really excited about this song. It hits home as being really practical, as it is based on the most common conversation that has come up in my life from growing up with my parents and conversations with them and with my youth pastor, to now as a husband and a father with my wife and my kids and doing ministry.  

It wasn't too long ago, a guy came up and told us that he lost his job. Rather than mope around, he was able to look his family in the eyes and tell them what happened and that they weren't sure where money was coming from, that life could be stressful and hard, but we know the outcome because God promises that He will take care of His people. Even though we don't know what is going to happen getting from point A to point B, we know that we are in the will of God and we are trusting that God's plan is bigger than any situation. 

I realized that conversation with that man was the heart of this song. That's the conversation I've had the most with my family and friends of faith.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Romans 5:1-3 (NIV): Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV): And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

John 8:12 (MSG): Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."

Matthew 11:28 (NIV): "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (VOICE): For I passed down to you the crux of it all which I had also received from others, that the Anointed One, the Liberating King, died for our sins and was buried and raised from the dead on the third day. All this happened to fulfill the Scriptures; it was the perfect climax to God's covenant story.

What is the takeaway message?

We may not understand the journey, but we can confidently always stand on the promises of Jesus. He will come through every single time. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for us. He knows us, and He keeps His promises. I hope that the song is helping people respond like Jesus in the face of lies that the world tells us. 

The Matthew 11:28 passage where Jesus tells us to come to Him and He will give us rest is such an amazing thing to say. That's the difference between our Jesus and the rest of the world's religions. We get to come to Him, completely wrecked, broken, misguided by the world, and we can find refuge and strength in Him. We can find rest in Jesus. He will always come through.  That is the most encouraging thing. We don't have to do anything to get to God except trust in Jesus and come to Him. That's the most inviting and amazing message that has ever been spoken over humanity. Come to Jesus, and He'll give you rest.

Lyrics:
I got a suitcase full of empty promises
Don't believe a thing that this world says
It's kinds like wishin' on a fallen star 
A temporary fix for a broken heart
Everything here just falls apart
Cause nothing compares to the way You are

All I need is You
You're the hope in this life that I can't deny
All I need is You
I've seen it again and again
I can stand on Your promises 

One thing I've found in all my weakness
Is that I find my strength in the name of Jesus 
Oh You lift me up I feel ten feet tall
Standing with You I could never fall
I'm listening close to the Spirit's call
My Savior, my all

All I need is You
You're the hope in this life that I can't deny
All I need is You
I've seen it again and again
I can stand on Your promises 

Standing, standing, standing on the promises
I'm standing, standing, standing on the promises 
I'm standing, standing, standing on the promises
I'm standing, standing, standing on the promises of 

God I need You
You're the hope in this life I can't deny
All I need is You 
I've seen it again and again
I can stand on the promises of God 

Glory in the highest I will sing
Standing on the promises of Christ my King

Sometimes Christians know facts about the Bible but don't live out the Truth that the Holy Spirit is living inside of us. Jesus said in Luke 12:49 (NKJV): "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" Before God created man, He created light. God sent Jesus so that we could have light return. As believers, that's our story and also our challenge, to think about how we are reflecting the light of Jesus and how we are spending our time before we die.

God wants to hear from you. Get to that place where you are in humble submission to God. Don't play it safe, but take a chance and ask for God to be real in your life. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to God. More than just intellectual assent, God wants to be at the center of our heart's desires. We change our minds quickly, but our hearts are more devoted.

For me, the most encouraging part of the song is the message that I don't have to be perfect or rely on my plans, but that God knows me and loves me just as I am and wants to hear each of us sing "all I need is You!" That is cause for celebration as we all have freedom to be ourselves and He has great plans for us. We need to live each day knowing that despite circumstances, God has a plan for "those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). We really bring nothing to the table. 

The song includes some great faith statements: "I've seen it again and again, I can stand on the promises of God, Glory in the highest I will sing, standing on the promises of Christ my King." I sing along at the top of my lungs the sincere and emotive lyrics of submission in the refrain. A great challenge in this song is to make these words your personal prayer: "All I need is You, You're the hope in this life that I can't deny." Amen to that!

Watch the lyric video below.