Crowder's songs are some of the most popular in modern worship music. Millions in churches around the world sing his songs, including “How He Loves,” “Come as You Are,” “Here’s My Heart,” and “My Victory.”
His newest album, Milk & Honey, features the standout lead single, “Good God Almighty.” Every song on this stellar collection displays Crowder’s heart behind what he does—leading people in worship. It demonstrates, once again, the passion and energy that have made Crowder one of Christian music's most compelling artists.
True to form, Milk & Honey reflects real life and emotion, from longing and struggle to breakthrough and gratitude. It reflects Crowder’s forthright songwriting and intimate and unmistakable vocals backed by powerful arrangements.
The album derives its power from the fact that life and music intertwine so fully. Crowder can really write a hooky and truth-filled chorus. And, “Good God Almighty” and “In the House” are catchy, relevant, and worshipful, like his previous hits. Milk & Honey is one of my top 10 albums of 2021.
Crowder introduced the world to a new genre of music known as “folktronica,” or a mixture of acoustic sounds and electronic beats. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Crowder and his band sing his incredible songs live. I had the chance to speak with Crowder about his recent single, “In the House.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“In The House” is inspired by this key Scripture, Psalm 122:1, one of the first Bible verses I memorized as a child thanks to my favorite Sunday School teacher, Miss Panell.
The song emphasizes that church should be a grace-filled place of belonging, a place that feels like home. Something that celebrates the critical role the local church plays in each of our lives. As a kid, I remember that was how I felt. I could not wait to get to Miss Panell’s class. I couldn’t wait to go to church.
And, now as an adult, I understand that many people walk into the church saying, ‘This is the last place you’d ever find me. I don’t even know how I got here. I shouldn’t be here. I don’t belong in this place. Everything I’ve done has rendered me beyond redemption."
These are the feelings that many people come up with. But this is the true message: You’re known completely and loved to the extent that He put on flesh and dwelt among us.
What Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 122:1(ESV): Let Us Go to the House of the Lord. A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Psalm 33:3(VOICE): "Sing to Him a new song; play each the best way you can, and don't be afraid to be bold with your joyful feelings."
Psalm 66:1-3(NKJV): “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.’”
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT): “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”
Hebrews 13:8(NKJV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Ephesians 2:13-16(NKJV): "But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."
Deuteronomy 4:39(NIV): "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
Romans 8:38-39(VOICE): "For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord."
What is the takeaway message?
Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord.” It’s great that there is a house of the Lord that we can go to. But what’s amazing about it is that we get to be in the house. Anybody who walks through the door is welcome. The grace of God extends to everyone--no matter how far you’ve gone.
There’s home waiting. That’s what Psalm 122:1 means to me. It's transformative, that story alone, and it’s good news. It’s amazing that you get to be in His house, that you are in relationship with Him, and that’s what He's invited you back into. You can know God of everything, and that’s insane. It’s an incredible part of our story.
Lyrics
Good morning Has it been a long night? Maybe been a long year Maybe been a hard life Maybe you’re not alright
If you got a Little red in your eyes You’ve come to The right place People like you People like me This is where we All find grace Come on now
Bet you’ll wanna Sing hallelujah Bet you’ll say an amen Oh, I can’t help but Celebrate being born again There’s somebody Who loves you Waiting at the door Oh, it’s home sweet home here In the house of the Lord
Take a load off You’re about to find your rest It’s a crazy world out there Got some hope right here Out of the wilderness
If you’re needing Water for your soul Well, you’re In the right place Doesn’t matter If you’re rich You’re poor Whoever you are This is where we All find grace Come on now
Bet you’ll wanna Sing hallelujah Bet you’ll say an amen Oh, I can’t help but Celebrate being born again There’s somebody Who loves you Waiting at the door Oh, it’s home sweet home here In the house of the Lord
Bring your heartache Bring your burden You can lay them Down at the door There is no fear You belong here Step into the House of the Lord
Bring your heartache Bring your burden You can lay them Down at the door Ain’t it so clear You belong here Step into the House of the Lord Hallelujah
Bet you’ll wanna Sing hallelujah Bet you’ll say an amen Oh, I can’t help but Celebrate being born again There’s somebody Who loves you Waiting at the door Oh, it’s home sweet home here In the house of the Lord
Bring your heartache
Bring your burden You can lay them Down at the door There is no fear You belong here Step into the House of the Lord
Closing Thoughts
The Lord calls us to have joy in Him regardless of our circumstances, which this song celebrates. Our true joy comes from our relationship with Jesus. One of the lessons I've learned in life is that we shouldn't wait to fix ourselves before we step out in faith. We need to trust God.
We can't earn grace. And we can't do anything to gain life other than accept Jesus. Jesus loves us so much that He came down and took our punishment so that we can be with Him forever. “In The House” is a call to worship that gets me excited to sing along and celebrate. The song's energy is a great way to infuse enthusiasm into your worship set.
When you sing, do you do so in complete submission or just sing the words? When you sing the song, don't just sing it, but know it and live it out. Make Jesus the Lord of your life. Make every activity and thought point to Him.
The song's sentiment represents something that the global church can cling to and proclaim. We raise our hands to celebrate and in surrender. We can lift our hands in confidence to God and know that His mercy is unfailing. His love is never-ending. He is our refuge and our strength.
God's ultimate will is to not bring affliction but to restore us so that we may experience His unfailing love. I love singing this song back to Jesus and telling Him that I need no other than Him.
Crowder's ministry is a way to put Scripture into the minds, hearts, and mouths of believers everywhere, in a fresh and creative way. His songs give listeners the chance to be inspired and drawn to the Lord’s presence. A chance to call out to Him and to desire to be in His presence.
“In The House” helps set my mind on Christ, to let the distractions of the day melt away. And instead focus on worshiping the King of kings and Lord of lords. It reminds me of the beautiful passage in Ephesians 2, which talks about how God has torn down the middle wall of separation. So, we can boldly approach the throne of grace.
Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the battle of our minds, from sin and death. He wants us to have an abundant life in Him. What a wonderful, encouraging truth that God knows us intimately. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, He sees us as holy, righteous, and redeemed. He sees us as chosen, fully known, and forgiven--no matter what we've done.
If you've put all your hope and trust in Jesus, there's nothing that can separate you from His love. If you think about the type of faith we're called to have as believers, it's described as the faith of a mustard seed.
Spend time with God and let Him redeem and restore you. We are not at the end of our story. He's still writing our stories of redemption. He wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in all who've put their hope and trust in Jesus for salvation.
God tells us in the Bible that with faith, we can do anything in Christ. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics. And find immense comfort in this song filled with biblical truth. Jesus invites us to come to Him. So, He can give us rest. Grace is freely given; it isn't something we can earn by our good works. It's a gift from God by faith in Christ Jesus.
The song's message challenges us to think about our own doubts. And how Jesus calls us to rely on Him, as well as the power of His resurrection. The song reminds us to remember that Jesus has overcome death and fear.
As a believer, know that heaven is calling out to you. He is real, He is near. He is the author of our lives and knows what's best for us--much better than we do. That's reason to sing this empowering anthem in gratefulness to Him.
If you're looking for a firm foundation in your life, make these lyrics your personal prayer: “Bring your heartache/Bring your burden/You can lay them/Down at the door/There is no fear/You belong here/Step into the house of the Lord.” Amen to that. And Merry Christmas.
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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