Christian music fans recently had the opportunity to welcome back one of CCM's standout female artists, Rebecca St. James, with her single "Kingdom Come" from her upcoming album, Kingdom Come. Rebecca has long been one of my favorite artists, and her songs "Wait for Me," "Song of Love," "Go and Sin No More," and "Pray" all had an influential impact on my life as they were released not long after I had accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, due to the influence of the biblical messages behind songs in Christian music led me to be born again in Christ.
It is great to hear the return of Rebecca with some more biblically based songs that move you emotionally and cause you to contemplate your faith. I had the chance to speak with Rebecca about her new song, "Kingdom Come," which also features her little brothers Luke and Joel Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
When Joel, Luke, and I were writing this song we were inspired by the Lords' prayer and the need for revival right now. I believe that there's a desperation that is foundational to every true move of the Spirit.
There's a thought being spread throughout the world right now that God's Word and His way is restricting freedom, and it's the opposite of that. His way, His Word, and the biblical mandate we are under in the Kingdom of God is life, freedom and joy. The boundaries that God has given us are for our good and for His glory. There's a call within the church right now to cling to biblical values, like children who know where the lines are to play safely and be safe with their lives.
And our world is desperate right now. Great revivalists have said if you want to see revival, draw a circle on the floor, step into it and pray for revival to begin there. Let it start with us!
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV): Now when He saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Luke 11:1-4 (NKJV): "Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Matthew 5:14-16 (VOICE): "And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly, it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illuminate creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."
John 3:17 (NKJV): "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV): "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.'"
What is the takeaway message?
For us, Joel, Luke, Seth Mosley, and I, when we wrote the song, the Beatitudes and the Lord's prayer were the Scriptures we wanted to work into the song. For me personally, I know that's God's Word doesn't return void, so there's instant power in that. It's important to me that the Bible is in the song. We were in the middle of COVID and all the confusion of that at the time. We know people are very broken right now. They are poor in spirit because they feel beaten up by the past two years. The song begins in an inspired way because God knew we would need that right now. He wants us to come to Him.
I think we can hide away in social media in an inauthentic picture of ourselves that isn't our whole selves. We don't show the weaker and less put together sides of ourselves. That's damaging to us and our connections if we aren't being real and authentic with people about the challenges we walkthrough. We need each other and we need to be real with each other. God called me back to music a few years ago, and it was a profoundly moving, and transformative moment where I felt God's Holy Spirit leading me back to music. God's Kingdom coming to earth for Christians looks like trusting His heart for us and turning to Him in all circumstances in our lives, surrendering to Him as often as we can remember to surrender to Him, moment by moment. Ask God to use you today, in your parenting, in your relationships, at church, in every action of my life, let His kingdom come and His will be done. If we are walking in His will and His way, revival comes from that.
Lyrics:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Who long for You, long for You
Blessed are the heavy-hearted
In need of You, need of You
Your hands are healing
Your heart is hope
Your word is freedom
For all of the world
You are redemption
You are our help
We need You with us
So let Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
On earth as is in heaven
Let Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
From now until forever
We'll keep on singing
Oh, let it start with us
Oh, Your kingdom come
Lover of our souls redeem us
We live for You, live for You
Spirit lead us to forgiveness
We cry out to You, cry out to You
Your hands are healing
Your heart is hope
Your word is freedom
For all of the world
You are redemption
You are our help
We need You Jesus
So let Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
On earth as is in heaven
Let Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
From now until forever
We'll keep on singing
Oh, let it start with us
Oh, Your kingdom come
Oh, let it start with us
Right here, right now
We're reaching out
With humble hearts
We're kneeling down
No other name, no other way
Oh, hear us as we pray
Right here, right now
We're reaching out
With humble hearts
We're kneeling down
No other name, no other way
Lord, hear us as we pray
So let Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
On earth as is in heaven
Let Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
From now until forever
We'll keep on singing
Oh, let it start with us
Oh, Your kingdom come
Oh, let it start with us
Oh, Your kingdom come
Revive us, restore us
Rebuild us, redeem us
Refill us, rename us
Your kingdom come
Your kingdom come
Revive us, restore us
Rebuild us, redeem us
Refill us, rename us
Your kingdom come
Your kingdom come
Closing Thoughts
"Kingdom Come" paints a beautiful picture of hope, healing, and redemption while exploring what God's presence on earth can look like both now and forever. Rebecca sets out to present an opportunity for believers to live in the moment with Jesus, and beautifully portrays that message with powerful vocals from both herself and her brothers. Rebecca has consistently written biblical songs that both challenge and uplift me to give my heart to Jesus and thank Him for his grace and mercy.
We can get through anything we might be dealing with on this side of eternity, knowing that we have a blessed hope waiting for us in Heaven. While we're here, Jesus taught us to pray for His kingdom to come, to do His will, and to tell others about His greatness. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Once the Light of the Holy Spirit is in you, you can show that light to others as you live your daily life, including outside of a worship context. And, that's ultimately the message behind "Kingdom Come," enjoying the beauty of God's presence, praising Him with your whole heart, and letting your light shine in a world that needs to experience the true grace and hope found only in Jesus. Heaven on earth is something that God wants us to pray for, and biblically we're commanded to spread the Good News of the Gospel in the Great Commission.
Jesus loves us just as we are, not who we pretend to be. Not only does He love our weaknesses, but he also blesses us because of them. Being poor in spirit, meek, persecuted, and insulted bring blessings from God, which is all we need. I love knowing that, in my brokenness, I'm closer to Him. It's so wonderful to know that failing by the world's standards is what we are called to be, as devoted followers of Jesus.
A revival is something that God wants us to pray for, and biblically we are commanded to spread the Good News of the Gospel in the Great Commission. In Mark 16:15, Jesus commands: "Preach the Gospel to every creature." There are no conditions or exceptions in that command. It's more of a lifestyle that Jesus calls us to live as Christians. I can't get enough of the worshipful lyrics, "Right here, right now, we're reaching out with humble hearts, we're kneeling down, no other name, no other way, Lord, hear us as we pray." Amen to that.
NRT Lead Contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time fan of Christian music and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. Currently, he lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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