The WILDS Recording, "I Am With You"

The Wilds Recording "I Am With You" from The Wilds on Vimeo.

Sometimes God must knock the bottom out of our experience as His saint to get us to come to be in a closer relationship with him. He places us in the midst of intense suffering to shape our character and draw us to himself. Such was the case on July 27, 2013. For the people at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, God used a bus knock the crutches out from underneath their arms and force them to fall into his capable, sustaining hands. For me personally, this trial hit home like no other trial I had ever experienced. In an instant I went from planning to go to the Indianapolis Colts team practice with my brother to planning his funeral and the funeral of his wife and unborn daughter. God dropped the floor out from under my feet, knocked the crutches out from under my arms, and thrust me head first into a deep trial.

Within a few short days I became keenly aware that many lives would be forever changed because of the tragic bus crash of a bus from Colonial Hills Baptist Church. I also knew that God has sparked a flame of revival that was beginning to ignite little fires all across the globe. Even with this knowledge words escaped me. What do you say when your world is turned upside down? I knew that God had chosen this trial for a reason and it was becoming apparent that God was using it to change lives for his glory and yet I simply had no words. It was in the midst of this turmoil that I first heard the words to the hymn “I Am With You” penned by Chris Anderson. This hymn seemed to be speaking what I had for so long been trying to say.

I am with you, says the Father;
Through the floods, I calm and keep.
Though the swelling waves surround you,
I surround the waters deep.
Fear not, loved one; feel My presence.
You will never be alone.
Trust me, loved one; you are precious.
You are Mine—My very own.

I am with you, says the Savior,
Even to the age’s end.
Never leaving, nor forsaking,
I’m your ever-present Friend.
Fear not, loved one; hear My comfort:
None can pluck you from My hand.
Trust me, loved one; I am constant:
None can change what I have planned.

I am with you, says the Spirit,
There is nowhere you can flee.
Neither height nor depth can hide you;
Every place is home to Me.
Fear not, loved one; hear My witness:
You are God’s own child and heir.
Trust me, loved one; hear My whisper:
With you—in you!—I am here.

Come be with Me, says the Master,
Greeting hopeful, homesick eyes.
I was with you through your journey;
Be with Me in paradise.
Fear not, loved one; know My promise:
I will surely, quickly come.
Trust me, loved one; know My purpose:
I will bring you safely home.

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The words meditate on God’s promises and specifically on his promise to be near us. The comfort we receive is not from knowing that everything will get better but from knowing that God is with us through all time and in every circumstance. The hymn closes meditating on that great truth that one day we will be with Him in Paradise. This promise became a reality for four people on July 27th.

The hymn was sung at the funeral of my brother, sister-in-law, and baby girl and has since been dedicated to Colonial Hills Baptist Church in memory of the grief that the church carries after losing four people in that tragic bus crash. 

Posted by Caleb

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The files to the song may be found here:
Full Page
Half Page
MP3