Beatitudes is a new release from legendary CCM guitarist and singer-songwriter Stu Garrard (Delirious? and One Sonic Society), a compilation of songs based entirely on the words of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount and Beatitudes starting in Matthew Chapter 5. The album features memorable and catchy songs with an incredible list of collaborations including Matt Maher, Audrey Assad, All Sons & Daughters, John Mark McMillan, Amanda Cook, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Hillsong UNITED, among others. 

These songs are great messages for us to celebrate that our freedom from sin is based on our faith in Christ Jesus. Also, it is commanded by Jesus in Matthew 5:16 to "let your light shine" so that others may praise God based on seeing the power of His life in us. I had the chance to speak with Stu G about "Oh Mercy," which features Matt Maher and Audrey Assad.

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

The song "Oh Mercy" was inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 5, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." I'll explain that a little bit. When you look at hunger and thirsting for righteousness, I look at what do you ache for? What are the things you are helpless to do anything about, but you ache to change? There are three areas that I focus on. 

First is a global ache, like displacement of people because of war. The numbers now are more than World War II, which is unbelievable with all this chaos and suffering in the Middle East and Syria and across Africa. To hunger and thirst is a physical feeling. 

Second is a communal ache. For me personally here in Franklin, Tennessee, which is one of the wealthiest towns in one of the wealthiest counties in the state, just two miles from my house are people with such a low income that the school system has to help with food packages for the weekend. The basic necessity of being satisfied and filled with food isn't being met, and I ache for that to change as well. 

Third is the personal ache. What are the things that have power over you that you really want to change that you can't? Things like addictions and things bothering you, that feel like they are under your skin. That gets to this song. If in those moments of lack and failing and longing when things aren't fixed, when there's no way out, know that God is with you, He is on your side, you are blessed. The recognition that in that place, God is on your side. 

I started writing the song from that personal ache side and then took it to Matt Maher, and he flipped it on its head and wrote "under my skin is where You begin" and "under my skin forgiveness sets in." Those lyrics help depict how The Holy Spirit is working on the inside of us and can bring about the change that we ache for.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV): Now when He saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:14-16 (Voice): "And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illuminate creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."

Romans 2:4 (NIV): "Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"

What is the takeaway message?

I think what we've done is tried to combine the American dream with Christianity. I'm not sure those two things mix well. We need to be set free from that. And maybe the way we get set free is to hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice, and let the ache disrupt us into action until we become part of the solution. 

At the end of the day, it's really about mercy. The only way and the only Person who can help us is Jesus, and the song cries out "oh Mercy, Jesus Son of God, oh mercy, shine Your light on us." Really that is the cry of the Beatitudes. Mercy is central, and the fact that when we cry out at the end of our rope, the announcement is that God is on our side. It's about hearing the message that God is on the side of those who there doesn't seem to be a reason for Him to be on their side, with a massive emphasis on grace and mercy. Lift up your head and be a peacemaker and accept God's invitation to a certain way of living. Ask questions about how you live and who you see as others, and how can you engage rather than tolerate?

The Beatitudes Project is meant to be a reset button in a world plagued with violence and division. These upside-down Jesus announcements on a hillside by the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 5 where Jews, Greeks, Romans and people of all ethnicities were gathered are a reminder that there is another way. This album is hearing an invitation to live differently and listen to a counterintuitive message to live in His Kingdom. Jesus gives practical ways to live in the Beatitudes. We need each other.

Lyrics:
There's a wall inside my heart
Can't get 'round it
Keeps the two of us apart
Can't get over it

But under my​ skin
Is where You begin
And Your kindness leads me now

O-oh mercy
Jesus, Son of God
O-oh mercy
Shine Your light on us

When You took Your broken heart
And fed the world with it
You gave us all a brand new start
I can't get over it

And under my skin
Forgiveness sets in
And Your kindness leads me now

O-oh mercy
Jesus, Son of God
O-oh mercy
Shine Your light on us
Jesus, Son of God
Shine Your light on us

And under my skin
Your Spirit within
Is leading me home

O-oh mercy
Jesus, Son of God
O-oh mercy
Shine Your light on us
Oh-oh mercy
Jesus, Son of God
Oh-oh mercy
Shine Your light on us
Shine Your light

Before God created man, He created light. God sent Jesus so that we could have light return. As believers that's our story and also our challenge, to think about how we are reflecting the light of Jesus and how we are spending our time before we die. We all have our security that we sometimes trust more than God, and this song challenges me to pray more to grow closer to God. The cost of discipleship is to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. 

It is commanded by Jesus in Matthew 5:16 to "let your light shine" so that others may praise God based on seeing the power of His life in us. Sometimes we forget to give Jesus credit for our freedom and accomplishments. We need to celebrate that freedom with our hands, reaching out to others in Christ and showing His light in us, letting Him shine in us. 

Be encouraged by the light of Jesus shining in all of us based on our faith in Him. Personally, I am moved knowing that Jesus is shining in me for all to see and believe. Perhaps we can all practice "letting our light shine so that others may praise our Father in Heaven." This song is about realizing that if your eyes are open to the needs of others around you, and if you serve others and care about people more than think about yourself and your doubts, then you can start to live out the Beatitudes and understand the words: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." You can live out those words by allowing these lyrics seep into your heart: "And under my skin, Your Spirit within is leading me home. Oh mercy, Jesus, Son of God, Oh mercy, Shine Your light on us." Amen to that!

Watch the lyric video below.