The songs on The Reason celebrate God’s sovereignty, which professes that He is the ultimate ruler over our lives. I love how this song expresses the truth of our earthly challenges. This week, I'm going to look at “You’ve Always Been,” a song from the aforementioned album. It has really been resonating with me lately as I realize that Jesus commands us to trust God completely no matter our circumstances or personal distractions or concerns.
In this age of lyrical ambiguity, it's refreshing to see a band outwardly sing about the gospel of Jesus Christ. With this excellent album, the band provides a great example of how to write and sing lyrics that are unashamed of Christ's gospel. Lyrics that reach the lost with transparent confessions of faith. “You’ve Always Been,” for example, is rooted in scripture. I had the chance to speak with Unspoken's lead singer Chad Mattson about the song.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
One night, I woke up at two in the morning. Couldn't sleep. So, I turned on my TV and watched a '50s-era gospel music group, performing in black and white. The singer of the group, who was blind, vamped on how God had been in his eyes. I was moved at that moment, thinking how that is so true in my own life. Everything I’ve needed, everything I’ve really needed, God has been there for me. I was stirred by God’s provisions, even amidst painful battles against anxiety and insecurity, as well as depression among my family members. I wrote this song's lyrics as a declaration of God’s constant, dependable presence.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Hebrews 13:8(NKJV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Lamentations 3:22-23(NKJV): “Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
2 Corinthians 5:21(NIV): "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Romans 8:18(NKJV): "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:28(VOICE): "We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
Psalm 9:10 (NKJV): "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."
Hebrews 10:10(NKJV): "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Philippians 1:6(NKJV): "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:13(NKJV): "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
What is the takeaway message?
As believers, we need to look to the past to see where God has come through to give us hope for the future. I find myself so frustrated at times. I’m praying for victory over anxiety, for a breakthrough, for my kids, for my ministry, for all these different things, and what I realized, in the end, is God doesn’t give me every prayer I ever prayed or asked for. He doesn’t always answer it the way I thought He should or I asked Him to, but what I did realize is that He continues to open the door to Himself. He shows me that He’s everything that I’ve ever needed.
Lyrics
I’ve had good days I’ve had bad days Tasted victory and defeat I’ve had problems big as planets Turn to pebbles when You speak I’ve had nothing to my name Never lacked for anything Cause You were there with me
You’ve been my Savior, Sustainer When I’m at my end My Healer, Redeemer Again and again My mother and my father Brother, sister and friend Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been
When I stand before You guilty Oh Your mercy bears my blame When in pride I think I’m worthy You point out the price You paid When I wander far away You keep calling out my name You don’t give up on me
You’ve been my Savior, Sustainer When I’m at my end My Healer, Redeemer Again and again My mother and my father Brother, sister and friend Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been
You are my Strength My Rock, Jesus You are my Hope My Song, Jesus Before my heart knows What to pray You’ve already Made a way, Jesus
You’ve been my Savior, Sustainer When I’m at my end My Healer, Redeemer Again and again My mother and my father Brother, sister and friend Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been
You’ve been my Savior, Sustainer When I’m at my end My Healer, Redeemer Again and again My mother and my father Brother, sister and friend Thank You Jesus Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been Everything I’ve needed, Lord You’ve always been
Everything I've needed, Lord
You’ve always been Oh, yes You have Thank You Jesus You've always been
Closing Thoughts
Jesus is the good news and the miracle that can hold us together when we have struggles. It seems harder than ever with so many distractions and temptations around us. “You’ve Always Been” is an offering and submission to God’s supernatural ability to keep together what would otherwise fall apart.
This song is a very convicting and sobering reminder that God brings trials to remind us how much we need Him. This song and album also give many glimpses of the authentic reality of life and life's experiences, good and bad. Life doesn’t go as we want or even how we pray for God to work in our lives.
All of us forget to let God be in control. Stress comes from not living in faith. Life is not about the plans that we make, but about God’s plans. Let go and let God take control. Don’t let to-do lists get in the way of spending time with God. Are we letting God be in control or aren’t we? Either He is in control or He isn’t, there isn’t any middle ground.
Jesus gave His life for us and we know that He believed in God’s purpose. We, as believers, are all eternally grateful that Jesus relied on God’s will. Remember, there's a reason for everything under heaven.
Worship is about giving God our best, offering all of ourselves to Him. All we can do is submit to Him and give everything we have to Him. We have a reason to reflect on God's holy and perfect sacrifice of His son, Jesus. He died for us so that, in Him, we might know God's righteousness.
Trust God's Word. Have faith and let Him work everything in your life together for good. Spend time with God. Let Him redeem and restore you.
We're not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. He wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in all of us who've put their hope and trust in Jesus for salvation.
We can't earn grace. And, we can't do anything to gain life other than accepting Jesus. Jesus loves us so much that He came down and took our punishment so that we can be with Him forever. The timeless passage, Hebrews 13:8, has an application for us today as we live in these uncertain times dealing with anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jesus is ever true to His word. What He spoke on earth, He affirms in heaven.
We're all united in our struggles and spiritual warfare, and in our desire for truth and relationship. The Lord wants you to spend time with Him every day. “You’ve Always Been” is a great reminder to spend time reading His word, The Holy Bible, and to have a relationship with Him in prayer. No matter your circumstances, remember, “Everything I’ve needed, Lord/You’ve always been/Oh, yes You have/Thank You Jesus/You've always been.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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