Following up Hillsong Worship’s standout worship album Awake, featuring popular songs, "King of Kings," and “Awake My Soul,” churches and believers around the world celebrated the release of their 2021 offering, These Same Skies.
I’m blessed by each album from the iconic worship band. Their staples "Cornerstone,” "God is Able," "What a Beautiful Name," and "Who You Say I Am” fills me up with his holy presence. These songs have blessed others, too—each sung at church worship services worldwide. Thus, putting the Word of God into the minds, mouths, and hearts of Christians everywhere. So, don't miss out on this incredible worship album, one of the best of the year.
These Same Skies is about proclaiming our dependence on God and crying out in awe of His presence. Every moment focuses me, as a listener, on joining in praise, worship, and adoration of our King Jesus. I had the chance to speak with band member Ben Fielding about one of the songs on the album, “Never Walk Alone.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
Our government took this pandemic very seriously. We had many months where we couldn’t leave our house beyond a five-mile radius. We couldn’t gather in person for church. Instead, we had online services, meaning people couldn’t connect the way they normally do.
One day, I received a text message from one of my fellow songwriters, Hannah Hobbs. She was driving in her car, listening to a free worship moment where Jenn Johnson from worship band Bethel Music sang, “I will never walk alone.”
Hannah pulled over and realized what a timely message it was for this moment. She wrote some ideas in her phone and sent them to me. So, I worked with her on some lyrics for the verses and chorus of “Never Walk Alone.”
In days where so many might be isolated or feeling disconnected from community—or even feeling abandoned by God—I wonder if the words of Moses to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:7 could be written to us. We can be confident in the promise of God. He will deliver us. Our inheritance is the Lord; His presence is our promised land.
We can walk forward with courage that the same God who sustained and rescued His people then, is our strength and shield now. He who goes before us, is with us, and will never leave or forsake us.
What Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Exodus 14:13-14(NLV): "But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Be strong and see how the Lord will save you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you. All you have to do is keep still."
Deuteronomy 31:6-7(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. Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it."
1 John 4:18-19(NKJV): "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."
Isaiah 41:10(NKJV): "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Hebrews 11:1(NLT): "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
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."
John 14:16(NKJV): "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever."
Romans 8:38-39(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?
The promise of Deuteronomy 31 has stayed close to my heart. When we were able to get together in person again after lockdown, we sang this song together. After such a lengthy isolation, people have many doubts and questions.
In those times, know that God has never forsaken or abandoned us. It’s a powerful message to sing. When God’s people were let out of captivity in Egypt, they had proof that He was faithful to deliver them.
Exodus states that when God delivered His people from captivity, they sang about His triumph and what He had done for them. We have songs about the triumph of God.
The Deuteronomy passage is the in-between time when their circumstances weren’t lining up with their expectations. We don’t worship God only during our positive outcomes. We worship God because He is worthy. We worship His character.
God’s faithful—even in our time of waiting. There are moments where we are at war with our enemies. And it’s hard to remember that He’s always with us. But, he is, and we need to keep that in our heads.
We may have a bad medical report or a relationship issue. And we need to remind ourselves that the same God who is with us in the triumphs is with us in the trials. He wants us to be strong and courageous.
The Lord Himself goes before you. So do not be afraid or discouraged. God’s people were waiting for a physical inheritance in the Deuteronomy passage. For us, the presence of God is our inheritance.
Jesus left us His Holy Spirit. That’s our great source of comfort and courage in the face of fear. We can face the day because of His faithfulness and His presence—no matter what we are encountering.
Lyrics
Your heart is for me Your ear is listening I’m safe in Your love Your army of angels Watch over me
You’re always present You’re always with me For all of my life Your favour has followed You’re my covering
I have never walked alone I’ve never been abandoned You are my inheritance You are my strength and shield And I have confidence You go before me You’re my deliverer I know I never walk alone
You’re always faithful You’re strong and able I’m lifting my head In You I find help You’re my providence
Every hour Every minute You have always been there You are faithful And You always will be
In every triumph Every failure You are loyal to me You are faithful And You always will be
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve always enjoyed Hillsong’s corporate worship anthems, you’re in for a real treat. This stirring new worship song sets me in the proper mindset to praise God. It helps me remember that He gave His life away for all everything that was lost.
The message of "Never Walk Alone" will challenge you to think about your own doubts. It serves as a reminder that Jesus calls on us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection. It also gives us some added reassurance: He has overcome death and fear. He's real, He's near, and He's a breath away.
This song showcases the victory that we have over our battles before we even know the outcome. All we have to do is to trust that God goes before us and wins.
You can face your daily battles with more courage and strength, resting in His promise from Romans 8:28: "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
By reading the Bible every day, God wants us to have a daily reminder to not be afraid. “Never Walk Alone” is filled with great statements of faith, celebrating our freedom in Christ: "Every hour/Every minute/You have always been there/You are faithful/And You always will be/In every triumph/Every failure/You are loyal to me/You are faithful/And You always will be."
As a father of three daughters, and as a chosen son of my heavenly Father, I can't listen to this gorgeous song without being moved. The picture of God's unconditional love is profoundly captured in the chorus: "I have never walked alone/I’ve never been abandoned/You are my inheritance/You are my strength and shield/And I have confidence/You go before me/You’re my deliverer/I know I never walk alone.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time 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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