I'm a huge fan of the southern rock sound of Third Day and Collective Soul, and I've long enjoyed the music of Zach Williams, Rhett Walker, and NEEDTOBREATHE. In that same musical vein, I was immediately drawn to Ben Fuller's music. His string of hits including "Who I Am," "Wide Awake," and "But the Cross" are personal faith expressions about what God has done in his life. That's our irrefutable evidence as believers in Christ, sharing our personal testimonies.
Fuller's self-titled album was preceded by "If I Got Jesus," and includes the catchy songs, "He Got a Hold on Me" and "Testimony." Fuller returned with his recent song, "Don't Let Me Forget." It's one of my top songs of the year. I had the chance to speak with Ben in-person before his performance at Sweatshirt of Hope Festival about his new song.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I remember from a very young age, I just wanted to seek my father's approval. When I was 18, I was introduced to cocaine and alcohol, and I spent most of my adult life using and running away. That was my escape and the way I dealt with the guilt and shame and not being able to share with my dad or hear my dad say I love you when [I] really wanted to hear it the most. I met my best friend in 2009. In 2017, he died of a heroin overdose.
I'm sitting here with you today, clean and sober, celebrating celibacy and salvation because of what God has done for me. It's the mystery of God that outweighs all the things that I've done--I've tried and there's no other way. The more I focus on Jesus, the more I focus on what God says and what the Bible says, it's amazing the freedom and lack of worry I have because I'm a child of God. I'm not a singer for fame or attention, but to proclaim what God has done for me. That's what this song is about. "Don't Let Me Forget" is about how Jesus saved my life after a struggle with addiction and a devastating drug-fueled relationship.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Romans 1:16 (NKJV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV): "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; By His wounds you have been healed."
John 15:13 (NKJV): "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV): "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
John 6:53-54 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 14:6 (NIV): Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV): "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 2:6 (NIV): "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV): "He bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; By His wounds, you have been healed."
John 15:13 (NKJV): "Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV): "That at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Romans 8:37 (NLT): "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
What is the takeaway message?
I have lived on the dark side and I have done unspeakable things. But being a Christian and following Jesus Christ is one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do in my entire life. And I dare you to take up your cross because it's not easy, but man, is it worth it. I wrote this song to remind me to never let myself or others forget to see what God's done in me; what He's done through me and what He's continuing to do through me.
These songs that I sing are words from Him, because I couldn't dream half of those words. [I hope they help you see] that you see that God is real. He's working even when we can't see Him. This song is a reminder to just tell the truth, to not run away anymore, and to not be afraid. To just bring my mess. To not be afraid to bring the ugly and talk about the hard things.
Lyrics
When I start to thinking that I've got the strength to fight
Or when I get something good, must have been I did something right
And when I start to thinking that I deserve some praise
Bring me back to my knees
And humble me with grace
Don't let me forget
That I'm nothing without You
Jesus, it's true
You're all I'm holding onto
Don't let me lose sight
Of how You saved my life
You're the reason I'm blessed
Jesus, don't let me forget
When I start to thinking of just how far You went
That's what keeps me running right back to the cross again
And when I start to thinking of just how much I'm loved
I've given in so many times
But You've never given up
There's a Savior in my story
Says I don't have to die cause He did it for me
Now the breath in my lungs sings holy holy
And whatever I do He gets the glory Glory
Closing Thoughts
This song is about having a strong faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Sometimes, we think we can try to know everything. God tells us in the Bible that with faith, we can do anything in Christ. One of the lessons I've learned about life is that we shouldn't wait to fix ourselves before we step out in faith. We need to fully trust God, look for ways to obey Him, and offer your faith to Him by sharing what He has done in your life with a non-believer.
The core of our faith as Christians is found in John 14:6: Jesus is the only way. All roads don't lead to heaven, despite what a secular culture tries to tell us. This is an extremely important and uplifting song. We all need to be bold as followers of Jesus and express that truth, celebrating His death on the cross and victory over sin. We are all God's sons and daughters, and you are His beloved child. Carry His love with you wherever you go, and remember that His love is always with you. Take moments to reflect on and sing songs of praise to God, for it brings comfort and draws you closer to Him.
This empowering song really reflects the joy we receive when we don't rely on our own understanding, but instead fully trust in the ability of Jesus to lift us up no matter our circumstances. Jesus calls us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection, to remember that He has overcome death and fear. Some truths that we can rally behind together as followers of Christ are that God is our Father, He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins and He rose again and defeated death. We can all say hallelujah and celebrate those truths together while singing along with this song. God's Word tells us that "for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, NKJV).
This song is a salvation message and moves me to reflect on just how much Jesus endured for His bride to purchase us from the grave. You can make the decision to admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and came to die as a sinless Savior on our behalf, and choose to make Him the Lord of your life. It's about submitting all of ourselves to Him and His goodness and allowing His blood to cover us and run through our veins. With God by our side, we have the strength to endure anything. This song is a gentle reminder that our identity is rooted in who He is as our Father and who we are as His beloved children.
The beautiful message conveyed in this song mirrors the Good News of the Gospel: God accepts us unconditionally, regardless of our past actions or current struggles. This is a great song to express your commitment to run the race well as a believer and not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sing along and proclaim these words as a prayer for salvation for our hurting world: "There's a Savior in my story/Says I don't have to die cause He did it for me/Now the breath in my lungs sings holy holy/And whatever I do He gets the glory, Glory." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He 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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