Tricia Brock’s and Kristian Stanfill’s entire new worship albums each have several songs that bless and heal me as a listener. In particular, they’ve both recorded stellar versions of the song “Always.” As you listen to their great albums, you’ll be refreshed, nourished, encouraged and lean on God for your strength. This song reminds me that the pain of this world is temporary and to live for Heaven.

Most recently known for his energetic and powerful songs “Jesus Paid It All”, “Say Say” and “Always” featured on recent Passion collections, the newest member of the sixstepsrecords’ roster, Kristian Stanfill, unveiled his sophomore record, Mountains Move. Produced by the prolific Jason Ingram (Tenth Avenue North, MercyMe, Sanctus Real) and Rusty Varenkamp (Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman), the songs featured on Mountains Move stand ready to bring hope and a voice to people and churches all over the world.

Produced by her husband Nick Baumhardt (Stellar Kart, FM Static, Thousand Foot Krutch) in his home studio in Nashville, The Road, is a refreshing new take on what we’ve grown to expect when we listen to the voice of Superchick's Tricia Brock. This project is a collection of songs meant to breathe hope and to inspire new life into a battling heart. The Road features new versions of the popular songs “Always” and “Jesus I Am Resting, Resting,” in addition to new songs of worship penned from moments deep within Tricia’s personal journal.

Both artists have released their recordings of "Always," which is a confessional song in the style of David's Psalms: "My foes are many, they rise against me, but I will hold my ground... I will not fear, His promise is true, my God will come through... always." I had the great opportunity to interview Kristian Stanfill and Tricia Brock about each of their recordings of the current single “Always.” Here are their answers to the questions I asked them.

Kristian and Tricia, please tell me about the message of the song “Always.”

Kristian: The song started quite a few years ago. We were leading worship at an event and David Platt was speaking. He spoke about Psalm 3, which starts by saying “LORD, how many are my foes, how many rise against me, many are saying of me, God will not deliver him.” I was struck by that and started diving into that Psalm. I love that David went on to talk about how God lifts up his head and bestows glory on him. I love that David had that kind of faith. Even though his enemies were all around him, he knew God would rescue him. He goes on to say from the Lord comes his deliverance. That’s how the song started, and it isn’t a “woe is me” song. It’s a song about standing in that season of life when things are hard and chaos is all around us--standing in that moment, lifting your eyes to God and knowing that He will come through with the help that we need.

Tricia: When I first heard the song on the Passion: Here For You recording, Nick and I were in the process of writing our songs for my album. The theme of the song resonated with me and I felt the common theme with my songs. I felt for a couple of years that I was in a battle and was beat up, bruised and wounded. Some days I wondered if I’d experienced a fatal wound and just wanted to surrender, give up and go home. For me, the chorus is so strong and to sing it with a group of people who all have things we are fighting through is powerful. There’s people we’ve lost, dreams we’ve had to give up, and things that keep happening to us. God will not delay, His refuge and strength is always. He will not give up. We have such a small vision of what life is, and God tells us that He’s coming. In ways we don’t see or always feel. That’s faith. I don’t know how people make it without God. I don’t know how I would have thrown in the towel, but I know that God is my strength.

Which Bible verses go with the message of the song?

Psalm 3:1-2: “LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’”

The bridge is based on Psalm 121: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth...”

Kristian and Tricia, how can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?

Kristian: The world is full of brokenness and isn’t an easy place to live in sometimes. We need these types of songs until Jesus comes back. I love the promise of Psalm 121: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD.” It’s so good to be able to say that. To be able to sing in faith that our help is on the way is so good. We are hearing stories about this song from people. We love learning about how this song is speaking to people.

Tricia: I’ve gone through a lot of stages of doors closing, and visions fading away. That’s our industry--things don’t always work out. Every artist has those stories. My band, Superchick, has taught me to not find my identity in the band. I need to remember that if that is taken away, that’s OK. It’s not what I’ll be doing forever. The hope of this song being God alone reminds me to not put my hope in my career. We shouldn’t put our hope in things of this world. Learning that people and family are more important is a life lesson. Only God knows how long I’ll do this. Our band has been one year at a time for thirteen years. Every year we get to do this, we’re blessed. God’s bigger than all the little things we encounter.

When I’m on stage singing this song, I can remember God won’t delay, His refuge and strength is always. One day there will be rest and peace. Being pregnant with my first baby coming, I am realizing how God’s timing is perfect. I’m not wrestling with every little thing happening based on my timing. That’s what I really get from this song, is God’s timing. He’s on His way, He won’t delay. Many of us tell God He’s late, we’ve got more than we can handle and it’s too much. I get that and I’ve learned that lesson. It’s not true. He knows the whole picture and He knows the fruits that come from struggle. The most beautiful people I know have come out of so much. The older I get, I find beauty in that. Those people love God so much, and He knew they could handle it, like Job. When we feel ourselves being tested, we can remember that God will rescue us. The message of this song reminds me of a quote I read: “we’re all just a tree in a story about a forest.”

Lyrics:
My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
From You Lord, from You Lord

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 121: “We must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. Shall I depend upon the strength of the hills? Upon great men? No, my confidence is in God only. Or, we must lift up our eyes above the hills; we must look to God who makes all earthly things to us what they are. We must see all our help in God; from Him we must expect it, in His own way and time. This Psalm teaches us to comfort ourselves in the Lord, when difficulties and dangers are greatest. It is almighty wisdom that contrives, and almighty power that works the safety of those that put themselves under God's protection.”

This is one of my favorite songs of the year and I fully expect the song to be nominated for best worship song. I can’t get enough of the biblical truth of the song and I love when artists take God’s Word from the Bible and turn it into a great and catchy song filled with truth. I sing this song to God with all of my heart and know that “He will not delay and His promise is true!” This timeless passage, Psalm 121, has application for us today as we live in uncertain times. Know with certainty that “God will come through always.” Amen.