Keith & Kristyn Getty
Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
There are many things we experience in this life that will only find their resolution when we are home with the Lord. “God of Every Grace” is a hymn of encouragement and a prayer for daily strength, for a recalling of our hope, for faith to keep following, and for rest in the truth that our God knows, sees, and counts our tears.
Sixteen years ago we were invited to sing “In Christ Alone” at the opening of the Dove Awards. We had recently moved to the US, and although we were very honored to participate, our hearts were heavy. My beautiful cousin Lindsay had just passed away from cancer. We were very much singing for our family. I struggled to sing.
Earlier that day I remember turning to 1 Corinthians 15 and reading of the hope of the resurrection. I was struck by Paul’s concluding charge: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58).
There are many things we experience in this life that will only find their resolution, their answer, their ultimate comfort when we are home with the Lord. What do we do when we have to continue to walk with the question, with the ache, with the limp? We know the Lord will “work all things to the good of those who love him,” but what if that good is not known in this lifetime? There are some pains I don’t yet know and can’t imagine.
The new hymn “God of Every Grace” began with a melody and some lyrics from our friend Bryan Fowler. The song spoke of walking through struggle with faith. It spoke of God as the God of every grace, calling us to see even our trials as somehow, mysteriously, serving God’s good purposes according to his good plans. It resonated with us.
Shortly after the school shooting in Nashville in March 2023, I was sitting outside with my daughters while they were playing, wrestling with this tragedy and the ongoing weight of it. I also pondered the memory of my cousin and the pain her family continues to carry. Many of the ideas and lyrics for this hymn began to form in my head that day.
Alongside Bryan and Matt Boswell, we continued to shape the verses and add the chorus over a couple of months. We felt strongly about keeping the lyric directed to the Lord, personal and honest. The line “all your children home together” was a very moving thought for me as a mother—that desire for a family to be all together again. Only in Christ is this possible.
We are all tempted at different times to give up, to give in, to let our circumstances steal our hope. This hymn is a prayer for his daily strength, for regular recalling of our hope, for faith to keep following, for rest in the truth that he knows, he sees, he counts the tears. We hope you can sing this prayer with us.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 5:10-11
For over a decade, Keith and Kristyn Getty have occupied a unique space in the world of music as pre-eminent modern hymn writers with hymns such as “In Christ Alone” among the 32 songs in the CCLI top 500 between the USA and UK. Born in Northern Ireland, the award-winning artists became the first musicians of the modern era to be given the OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for service to music and hymn writing.
They have become ambassadors for the genre, from their “Sing” book and Conference which welcomes over 15,000 people in Nashville every year, to performing for Presidents and Prime Ministers, a hymn tour and Christmas tour which plays annually at Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center (as well as two TV specials on PBS and TBN), as well as founding a publishing company, record label, and online learning site for a new generation of writers and church musicians. Keith and Kristyn live between Northern Ireland and Nashville with their four daughters.
Matt Boswell is lead pastor of The Trails Church in North Texas and the President of Doxology & Theology. He is an author and hymnwriter, known for songs including “His Mercy is More” and “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery”. Boswell earned his MA in Christian Ministry, ThM in Biblical Spirituality, and PhD in Christian Worship from Southern Seminary. He lives in Texas with his wife and four kids.
Bryan Fowler is a Grammy award winning producer and songwriter whose catalog includes work with artists such as Mandisa, Rend Collective, Shane & Shane, TobyMac, and more.
Matt Papa is a songwriter, worship leader, and author whose heart longs to see people from every corner of the world set ablaze by the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. His latest project, “Almost Home,” showcases over a dozen songs co-written with frequent collaborator Matt Boswell.
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A joy-filled celebration of the eternal hope and confidence we find in Christ.
