Following the success of their hit singles, "Just Say Jesus," "The One I'm Running To," "Promises," and "God is on the Move," the BEC Recordings band 7eventh Time Down returns with their newest release, Brand New Day.

"Brand New Day is about a heart being redeemed by God through His Son, Jesus," said 7eventh Time Down co-founder and lead vocalist Mikey Howard. "It's about having confidence God will accomplish this type of rescue. It's about the hope of anticipating this type of renewal. And, it's about the joy you find on this side of the cross, resting in the overwhelming love of a God who can. I hope more than anything that someone who is isolated by their own guilt, shame, depression, anxiety or doubt will have their heart shifted towards the heavens by this music, so God can begin His extraordinary work in their own story of redemption."

The Kentucky-native group won a following with their 2011 debut, Alive in You, and the follow-up releases Just Say Jesus and God Is On The Move. 7eventh Time Down is composed of Mikey Howard (vocals), Cliff Williams (bass), and Austin Miller (drums). Each band member is fully focused on letting their songs be ministry. I had the chance to speak with Cliff Williams about their latest single, "The 99."
Please tell me the personal story behind the song.

Brand New Day was a super-fun project to make. We had some new experiences crafting these new songs, putting our hearts and souls into every tune. The writing process for "The 99" started with the line, "You would search the whole world over to find me." Our co-writer, Ethan, mentioned he had this line and melody. And, the first thing that came to mind was a parable in Luke 15:3-7, about a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to find the one lost sheep. 

As we started writing the song, we had these images in our heads of the cultural climate of today. And, how, particularly in the U.S., everybody creates these "dividing lines," between one another, ready for trench warfare. They align with "their people" and "who they like," embracing an "us versus them" mentality.

When our culture is polarized, it's easy for people to turn a corner and feel unwanted. They can walk down the wrong street, or go on the wrong website and chat room, and feel unwanted for whatever reason; they don't look the right way or say the right things. 

The heart of this song is a reminder to the world that there is a God who wants us more than anything. And, He wants the next person, and the next person, and the next person, and so on. God wants us with a passion, a passion that sent His Son to die for us on the Cross. That's the message of this song.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Luke 15:3-7 (NIV): Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV): The Parable of the Prodigal Son.
 
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."
 
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."

What is the takeaway message?

Our hope for "The 99" is that whoever hears this song, they're reminded that they're wanted more than anything.

We didn't realize how much time had passed since we wrote the songs for God Is On The Move. It has been four years and a lot has changed. We've lost loved ones, we've had babies, we've moved. 

Our guitarist, Eric, left the band after 15 years when he felt God calling him in a different direction. He was with us from the beginning. That was another big change for us personally and to our band's sound. The hopes we have for Brand New Day is that people understand that everyone is real and living a real life. Nobody is sitting on a mountaintop all of the time. 

Even the most prominent people in the world have had valleys. In the past four years, we ourselves realized that we have to go through valleys. Just because we believe in the same God and press into Him, it doesn't mean that we won't have struggles. What it does mean is that Jesus and God's love gives us hope and encouragement. It empowers us to conquer those bad times. Our hope for the new album is that people will know that God sees them and that He has plans for them. He'll help them to get to where they're going.

Are we trusting God with our lives? That's one of the themes of this song and this album. It's our job to trust Him and move forward.

Lyrics:
I can feel the earth
Slipping from my feet
Got lost chasing dreams
That I can't seem to reach
But You never stopped chasing me
I've been hiding from my past
Wasting time ticking fast
Thought I was out of reach
But You never stopped chasing me
 
You would search the whole world over
To find me
 
There's no place You wouldn't go
You're searching high and low
You leave the 99 to lead me home
I can't outrun Your love
There's no road that's long enough
You leave the 99 to lead me home
There's no place You wouldn't go
There's no place You wouldn't go
 
I can hear the sound of struggle fade away
When I hear You call my name
And I can finally see what You see
When You look at me
You're convinced I'm worth it all
Nailed the proof upon the cross
So I could finally see
 
There's no place You wouldn't go
You're searching high and low
You leave the 99 to lead me home
I can't outrun Your love
There's no road that's long enough
You leave the 99 to lead me home
There's no place You wouldn't go
There's no place You wouldn't go
 
You would search the whole world over
To find me, to find me
You would search the whole world over
To find me, to find me
 
There's no place You wouldn't go
You're searching high and low
You leave the 99 to lead me home
I know Your gonna lead me home
I can't outrun Your love
There's no road that's long enough
You leave the 99 to lead me home
There's no place You wouldn't go
There's no place You wouldn't go
 
You would search the whole world over
To find me, to find me
You would search the whole world over
To find me, to find me

Closing Thoughts

God wants to hear from you. Get to that place where you're in humble submission to God. And, don't play it safe. But, instead 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 Him. More than just intellectual assent, God wants to be at the center of your heart's desires. We change our minds quickly, but our hearts are more devoted.
 
For me, the most encouraging part of "The 99" 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. He wants to hear each of us sing, "I can't outrun Your love." 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. Jesus says there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. When a sinner turns to God, heaven throws a party.
 
We sometimes put up a wall between us and God. He just wants us to come home to Him. Many of us feel that we're not worthy of being near God and that He's using a checklist to determine our worthiness. That's not the Gospel. The Good News of the Gospel, which this song perfectly portrays, is that God accepts us no matter what we've done, what we've said or what we're wearing. 

"The 99" includes some great faith statements: "There's no place You wouldn't go/You're searching high and low/You leave the 99 to lead me home." Sing loudly the sincere and emotive lyrics of submission in the refrain. Make these words your personal prayer: "You would search the whole world over/To find me." Amen to that.