Story Behind Promises (Lyrics) by Maverick City feat. Joe L Barnes, Naomi Raine

Promises Lyrics Maverick City Music

God of Abraham, God of covenant and of faithful promises

Time and time again You have proven You’ll do just what you said

Though the storms may come and the winds may blow I’ll remain steadfast And let my heart learn when you speak a word it will come to pass Great is your faithfulness to me Great is your faithfulness to me From the rising sun, to the setting same I will praise your name Great is your faithfulness to me God from age to age, though the earth may pass away, Your word remains the same Your history can prove there’s nothing You can’t do, You’re faithful and True Though the storms may come and the winds may blow I’ll remain steadfast And let my heart learn when you speak a word it will come to pass Great is your faithfulness to me Great is your faithfulness to me From the rising sun, to the setting same I will praise your name Great is your faithfulness to me I put my faith in Jesus My anchor to the ground My hope and firm foundation He’ll never let me down

Story Behind Promises by Maverick City feat. Joel barnes, Naomi Raine

"Promises" was written by Joe L Barnes, Carrington Gaines, Keilla Alvarado, Lemuel Marin, Aaron Moses, and Dante Bowe during a Maverick City Music camp last year

The story behind "Promises" is derived from an interview Kevin Davis of NRT conducted with guests Aaron Moses and Naomi Raine about “Promises,” a song the collective released on Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 1. TRIBL's mission is to be the home of live, moment-driven worship. We hope these songs and moments bring encounter with God's Presence and continue to be a place where His heart is revealed.

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
 
Aaron: We wrote “Promises” when we were just starting out. At the time, I was living in a two-bedroom and one-bathroom trailer with no money. I was leading worship at church, hoping to survive another day. 
 
My brother—and band member—Joe L. Barnes, who sings this song with Naomi, came up to me with this song idea roughly two years ago. We started on the verses and pre-chorus together but didn’t end up finishing it—until right before the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
This song is very special to me. It was one of those anthems that helped me once everything shut down. It’s one of those songs that we didn’t know that we need until we needed it. It has provided so much encouragement to me, reminding me that the promises of God are steadfast and unmovable—no matter the season.
 
Naomi: “Promises” ministered to me before the pandemic (we recorded it before then, too). Singer-songwriter—and band member—Dante Bowe wrote the song’s bridge. That really blessed me: “I put my faith in Jesus, my anchor, to the ground/My hope and firm foundation/He’ll never let me down.” These words summed up everything in the song and everything Abraham would be singing in a moment like this. 
 
I know that God is real. I know that what He says is true. He gives me a truth I can stand on. This song is a prayer and a confession that we get to make when we sing it. 
 
I don’t generally listen to songs I sing and record. But, “Promises” is one I listened to every day during the pandemic. The Lord was super faithful; He knew we needed this song’s message before we knew we needed it.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
 
Romans 8:28: (NKJV): And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV): “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
 
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 
Matthew 11:28 (NIV): "Come to Me, all you 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."

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
 
Hebrews 6:19 (NLT): "This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary."

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 103:1-5 (NASB): “Bless the Lord, O’ my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV): "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
 
What is the takeaway message?
 
Naomi: God knew we needed His goodness and His faithfulness every day during the COVID-19 pandemic; promises we needed to cling to (God’s promises are what we need to cling to all the time). 
 
“Promises” has been a gift to me personally and for the church. I have relied on God’s promises from the Bible like “bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name” from Psalm 103.
 
Aaron: When we recorded the song, Naomi added the lyrics, “I’ll still bless You.” It was something she needed in that time. It blessed her and us as well. I would tell myself the same thing, “I’ll still bless You” when I didn’t know how I would pay for things or what was going to happen next. 
 
I’ve relied on promises from the Bible like “to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” from Ephesians 3:20. When God starts something, He has to complete what He’s started. It may not be how we imagine or think, but God can’t lie. And, if He makes a promise, He will fulfill it.