The Band Table, which comprises Jordan Merritt, Cliff Preston, Jonathan Lee McElhenny, and Jade Lundgren, is more than just a musical group; it’s a call to communion and celebration. Formed in 2022 at a writing retreat, the band's name signifies a gathering of believers to feast on spiritual nourishment. Individually, the members are accomplished songwriters, with their works recorded by renowned artists such as for KING + COUNTRY, Newsboys, and Shane & Shane. Their latest album is an impressive tapestry of songs that boldly reflect their unwavering faith and journey, encompassing profound truths and joyous moments. Join us as we delve into their debut album, song by song, in their own words.
Comments from Jonathan Lee McElhenny
“Jubilee”
When I think of Jubilee, I think of the Lord’s joy and His favor. I love this song so much because it brings me so much joy. My favorite line is, “The laughter of the sisters as the dead man comes to life.” That is what God brings. He takes dead things and brings them back to life. This song captures that joy and fills me with it every time I listen.
“What Could Have Been”
The thought for this song came to me in reflection: What if there was no cross? What if there was no blood? What if there was no resurrection? Where would I be? What would my life look like? All I could see was darkness. Yes, we still face darkness daily, but there is a light, and that light’s name is Jesus. Jesus broke through the darkness and rescued all who would believe. He poured out His life so we could have eternal life. I tremble at the thought of what could have been, but I’m so thankful that that’s not what happened. The blood of the perfect, spotless lamb redeems us.
“Lessons of the Dead”
I’m so thankful for the lessons of life. I wouldn’t be the man that I am today if it weren’t for those lessons. But you don’t just learn lessons from life. You learn lessons from the dead and those who have gone before you. Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we are surrounded by witnesses who have gone before us and are cheering us on so that we can finish this race. If we look at their history and learn from their stories, we can learn how to live and finish the race God has set before us.
“Not Another One”
Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” In the beginning, there was only God. He is the beginning and the end. There is no one like Him, and there will never be another. He is holy, perfect, and righteous and wants to have a relationship with us. It makes absolutely no sense, but that is who God is. He is the God of mystery and wonder. There is not another one like Him.
“Fall of Jericho”
The story of Jericho is much deeper than a city with fortified walls. Yes, it reminds us that God can use the simple songs and shouts of a few to tear down the strongest strongholds that humanity can build, but it also should remind us that God can tear down any stronghold that stands against Him and those that follow him, including sin, fear, depression, and death. We wrote this song to remind the listener that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He did it then, He will do it now. He who the son sets free is free indeed.
Comments by Jordan Merritt
“This is the Good News”
We often think of the Gospel as just the good news that Jesus came to die for our sins. That is good news. But it’s just the beginning of the good news that Jesus came to give us. Not only did He come to give us freedom from the power of sin and darkness, atonement for our sins, and a new life, but He also came to usher in His kingdom. All of this is good news. He came, brought His kingdom, died, rose again, ascended, sent His Spirit, established the Church, and He’s coming back again. It’s the greatest story ever told, and each part is important to us. My prayer for this song is that we all get each part of His story deep in our spirits so that we can live free of sin, full of His power, and with great anticipation in our hearts for Jesus’ return.
“Heathen”
Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I remember growing up thinking about the woman caught in adultery and thinking, “How dare she?” But the older I got, the more I realized I had been both of the story's characters. I had been the Pharisees who were quick to judge but slow to allow correction in their own hearts. I had also been the woman caught in situations where I had no business and desperately needed help to get out of. And who was right there in the middle of it all? Jesus. Wherever you are today, whether you are a woman caught in a situation or a Pharisee with the stone cocked back, ready to let it rip, Jesus is offering us His redemption. He’s offering us the sweetness of life that only comes through Him. We need to turn to Him.
“Hold”
With everything happening in our world, I’m more aware of what we need to hold. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Ephesians 6:13 reads, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.” This song means so much more through that lens. May we all have the assurance of the rock we are standing on, the confidence in the promises of God, and the boldness to stand in His truth these days.
“Trust”
The Bible tells us 365 times, “Do not be afraid,” one time for every day of the year. So, that tells me that there’s nothing in this life that I need to be afraid of. But I’m constantly aware of my shortcomings, rebellious attitude, and knack for messing things up. I’ve let my fear of myself keep me from many things. This is why the line, “Pick up your dreams and your wonder, child, let’s make-belief,” is my favorite and the most special to me. God turns our fear into faith if we let Him. He’s written a beautiful story for us to walk in. We need not let fear take the reins. Instead, we should lean into the stillness that only Jesus provides and trust in Him.
Comments by Jade Lundgren
“He’s Got It Figured Out”
“He’s Got It Figured Out” poetically highlights a touch of our personal stories. The artist, the preacher, the old man, and the dreamer speak to the uniqueness of our journeys and God’s faithfulness through all life's difficulties, uncertainties, and complexities.
Comments by The Band Table
“You’re Still God to Me”
The chorus of “You’re Still God to Me” starts with, “All my how longs” and “hallelujahs…” In Psalm 13, David cries to God, “How long?” It’s okay to ask God, “How long?” Ask Him all the questions. We get to walk this life out with God. God is with us. Immanuel. We have the comfort of knowing that we will face nothing by ourselves. God is all-powerful, all-capable, all-knowing, compassionate, gracious, kind, and invested in us. Jesus, the man of sorrows, is fully acquainted with our grief. He welcomes us to come to Him with all we have and are. “You’re Still God to Me” is a sincere and honest cry that no matter what happens, no matter what we face, whether we fly or fail, in all the things we’re able to make sense of and the things that feel confusing, God is right there with us. He is still God to us.
“Spirit and the Bride”
There is an epic cry in Revelation 22:17 that says, “The Spirit and bride say, ‘Come!’” As Christians, we are the bride, the wife of the lamb. Both the Holy Spirit and we, God’s bride, express an urgent desire for Jesus to return. When we sing “Spirit and the Bride,” we join in that cry. But we are not the only ones who cry, “Come.” There is an invitation from God, as Jesus says in John 7:37, “Let anyone thirsty come to me and drink.” And as Revelation 22:17 concludes, “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Come to the Lord and join us as we wait for Him to come again.
Comments by Cliff Preston
“Thank You for What You’ve Done”
We can get so busy and overwhelmed that we only call God when we need something. I encourage us all to take a moment, slow down, and thank Him for His finished work, the answer to every question, hurt, fear, and heartache. We need Jesus just as much in our winning as in our wrestling. I needed to thank Him the night I sang this song with my friends. We weren’t calling out to Jesus with our list of to-dos that evening. We were thanking Him for what He’s done. Wherever you are today, stop and thank Him for what He’s done.
“When You Run”
As we sat down to write this song, it started as about my dad and son. We wanted to give a unique perspective on the relationship between father and son. The question was asked, “I wonder what advice the prodigal gave his son?” We have no record of a conversation like this; however, as I identified times when I was the prodigal, I knew what I would like to say to my sons. My favorite part of this story in Luke 15:11-32 is two verses—the first parts of 17 and verse 20. The prodigal comments on what he will say to his father, but he comes to his senses in verse 17 and goes home in verse 20. If that change happens to enough people, it will change the world.
“Who Needs the World”
Songwriter Kaleb Frazier approached me and said, “Cliff, I have a song idea for you.” And then he says, “Who needs the world? I got Jesus.” I immediately knew I wanted to write and finish that song. Later that evening, we sat in the dining room with a few more folks and finished the song. It was an exhale at the end of a week, but this song has become such an anthem as we’ve played it live. It’s defiantly saying to the enemy, “We don’t need the things you tell us we do; we have Jesus.” Thank God we do.
“Better Road”
Some dear friends and I started working on a song. We started singing “Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye,” and over the next few hours, we wrote the song now known as “Better Road.” This song has been a gift to me from Jesus. The lyrics are filled with pure joy. This joy comes from a weary traveler who found a better way. If I were a wrestler, this song would be my theme music. It shouts the freedom I’ve discovered and reminds me I’m not who I was. I’ll never forget what my dad told me, “Son, you have never done something so bad that God won’t take you or take you back.” I am not who I was. I have experienced my soul and my family's resurrection, and I invite you to walk on this better road. It’s a little narrow, but it will always be worth it.
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry in some form or another since 1999. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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