Ellie Holcomb wanted to write a song for her daughters. She sat down with her friend Ben Glover to do that. She said the song ended up being a song that they needed to hear for their own hearts as well as share for others’ hearts. She said they grounded the song in the following Bible verse: “Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4 ESV).
Holcomb said in an interview: “My hope for every listener who hears this song – no matter what they're carrying in their lives or in their hearts right now – that they would be reminded that they are carried by the God who made them and loves them. I have seen Jesus meet me in the wounds of my own story that I tried to hide or bury, and I’ve experienced the kindness and empathy of God in my most painful places in a palpable way, so this song is written from a new place of wholeness, healing and freedom. I hope this song makes you want to dance for the joy of knowing you are beloved.”
The day before Holcomb was scheduled to film the music video for this song, she received the horrific news that her pastor and his daughter were both killed in a car wreck as he drove her to college. Ellie said, “The grief in the wake of that was so massive. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through doing a music video.” However, she went through with it because she felt that God was reminding her that “even when your heart is breaking, even when you are grieving, He is right there by your side.”
I had seen this music video prior to learning the information about her pastor and his daughter. For me, it changed the way I watched this music video and heard the words of her song. You can almost feel Holcomb’s pain at the tragic loss; you can certainly see it in her eyes. However, you can also feel the love, hope, and peace that God provides us, especially in the dark and terrible times of our lives.
The song begins:
“I know you’re tired, I see it in your eyes. All that anxiety that rules your mind. I’ll be your shield when you don’t feel like you’ve got strength enough to fight.”
We all grow tired and weary at times; life is usually overwhelming. However, those whose faith is in the Lord will regain their strength.
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV)
Worry, anxiety, depression, and fear; these are all too common of an ailment to us all. They beat us down and make us feel terrible and tired. They convince you that you cannot win the fight. However, God is our refuge and strength; He will shield you from the evil one and will always fight for you.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” (Psalm 28:7 ESV)
The song continues:
“I’ll stand by your side. I will carry you. Through your darkest nights, when you’re terrified. I will carry you. When the water’s rise, when your hope runs dry. I will carry you.”
In our weaknesses, God is made strong. He is always with His beloved children. He cares about you and loves you, even more than He cares for and loves Himself. He gives us this sure confidence of His help in His promises to us, fulfilled through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. For I, the LORD you God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the One who helps you.’” (Isaiah 41:10, 13 ESV)
During our darkest hours of life, the light that will never fail us, is God. His love and faithfulness will shine a gleaming ray of love, hope, and peace into our deepest and darkest pits of despair.
“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:7-11 ESV)
No matter what happens in life, great or terrible, God will be right there with you, always. If the flood waters of sin, death, worry, anxiety, depression, or fear start to overcome you, He will lift you up and carry you. If you find yourself unable to hope any longer, remember that God is still with you, always.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2 ESV)
The song continues:
“You are not the sum of your mistakes. You don’t have to hide the parts of you that ache. I choose you as you are a million times cause I am not ashamed of you. I won’t walk away from you. I will carry you.”
God forgave all our sins when Jesus took them onto Himself and hung on the cross to die in our stead. When He died, our sins died with Him. When He rose from the dead, He defeated death. Rather than showing us His wrath, which we deserve, He continues to shower out His love on us. That doesn’t mean we should willingly sin against Him, but it does mean that we have the blessed assurance of forgiveness.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the One man Jesus Christ. Now the Law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Romans 5:10-11, 17, 20 ESV)
The song concludes:
“Up and over the mountains; valley deep as the ocean. And when you can’t keep going, I will shoulder your burdens. I will carry you.”
After God created everything in six days, He rested on the seventh day. He is omnipotent, so it’s not like He needed to rest, but He rested anyways because God leads by perfect example. He knows that we will try to shoulder all our burdens on our own, just muscling through the days. Next time you feel bogged down and heavy-laden in your worry, anxiety, depression, or fear; take up His yoke and find solace in Him. You will discover a profound recuperation and rest in His Word.
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
Soli Deo Gloria!
Philip Frank
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