Since 1995, NewSong's multi-artist Winter Jam concerts have given hundreds of thousands of people every year the opportunity not only to hear incredible music, but also to hear the Gospel message. I've personally attended the event for the past nine years. 

If you attend Winter Jam this year, you'll hear NewSong perform the new songs "I Am a Christian" and "Down." Both songs are upbeat worship declarations sung with stirring passion and filled with prayerful lyrics. You'll worship our King Jesus right along with the band when you hear these great new songs. I had the chance to speak with Russ Lee in person at Winter Jam in Reading, Pennsylvania about "Down."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

I actually started writing the song with Eddie Carswell and his son Stephen Carswell, who you can see on Winter Jam in the band Westover, and our producer Tedd T. Eddie, Stephen, Tedd and I were in the room together, and I had the basic idea for the chorus, and I had two things in mind. Proverbs 18:10 says the name of the Lord is strong tower, where the righteous run and are safe. I was thinking about that safety. Even when life seems risky, and anytime God calls you somewhere, He never sends you but calls you somewhere He is working. When God calls you to a place to serve Him, He's already there ahead of you working. 

I also thought about the Bible verse that talks about the everlasting arms of God. I just love that picture of God holding us, not just protecting us like a wall but holding us in His arms and keeping us safe. I know when I was a little kid, and when my children were small, when they were afraid and in an uncomfortable situation, one of the first things they do is reach up for the arms of their mom or their dad. They know if they are in their parents' arms, they are safe. 

I was thinking about those things, and I wanted a song that was soulful and had a nice groove to it. I started working on the song, and I was thinking about how sometimes we say we are disappointed with God, and that's when He doesn't do what we want Him to do. We forget that we serve Him, He doesn't serve us. He chooses to protect us and provide for us, and He serves us out of His good heart. 

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV): "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Deuteronomy 31:6 (HCSB): "Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you."

Romans 8:37 (NLT): "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV): "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV): "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Hebrews 11:40 (NIV): "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

What is the takeaway message?

A new year can bring excitement and possibilities, but it can also bring fear, anxiety and worry. Our new song "Down" is a reminder and encouragement that God is present with us, and we can trust in Him. We are really the ones who owe Him a debt of gratitude, and we are called to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice as an act of worship. 

I was thinking about how God is always faithful and always strong, and even when we don't understand it, He is working. The song talks about how even though our strength is failing and we don't feel like we can go on, God walks beside us, and He leads us. He not only prepares a place for us, but then He also is behind us. 

All of these images are very Scriptural. Out of these thoughts came this song. It is about the faithfulness of God, and it is a reminder that when life gets hard, it's easy for us to look at our circumstances, but remember that God is faithful and He is strong and He's never lost of one His sheep that He cares for. When God calls you to serve Him, we get more than we give. We are not on the results committee. What God requires of us, He also provides us by His grace.

Lyrics:
Trouble, trouble
So much at stake
Making me wonder
It's making me shake
I will not worry
I know that You're here
I fix my eyes on You
My troubles disappear

Whatever it is I think
I will not be afraid, no

Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love is holding me and You're all I need
Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love's surrounding me and You're all I need

Faithful, faithful
You're faithful and strong
You walk beside
You're leading me on
My strength is failing
You know I am weak
That's when You pick me up
And You whisper words of peace

Whatever it is I think
I will not be afraid, no, no, no

Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love is holding me and You're all I need
Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love's surrounding me and You're all I need

You lift me up
You help me stand
When my strength is gone
You hold my hand
Let the wind blow
let the earth shake
When I'm with You I'm not afraid
When I'm with You I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid
(You're all I need)

Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love is holding me and You're all I need
Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love's surrounding me and You're all I need

Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love is holding me and You're all I need
Down, down
You will never let me down, down
Even when I hit the ground, down
I know that Your love's surrounding me and You're all I need 

This is an infectious song and really reflects the joy we receive when we don't rely on our own understanding, but instead fully trust in the ability of God to lift us up no matter our circumstances. Jesus calls us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection, to remember that He has overcome death and fear. We can all say hallelujah and celebrate those truths together while singing along with this song.

I personally take a lot of solace in knowing the Truth of Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV): "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." I love that every translation of those words of wisdom from Proverbs tells believers to "run" to the name of the Lord. In the midst of any pain you are dealing with, run to Jesus. This song is a faith statement. Righteousness was accredited to Abraham for his faith. We need to have the faith that the Bible describes in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV): "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

Since I've come to be a follower of Jesus, I have a better understanding that success for Christians is defined differently than the world's definition. I think many Christians, including myself, struggle with the issue of holding onto our dreams and expectations and not letting God show us what He wants for us. Instead of living in fear we need to proclaim in faith, "Whatever it is I think, I will not be afraid."

His Name is a strong tower. We can call out for Jesus, and He will keep us safe. This is a truth for believers to cling to. We're not supposed to just hope it is true, or turn to the Lord as only our last resort, but daily be washed by the Truth of the Word of God. If we learn to build our lives on Scripture, we would all have a Rock as our foundation as we navigate our lives. We can know for a fact that the words of this song are true: "Down, down, You will never let me down, down. Even when I hit the ground, down, I know that Your love's surrounding me and You're all I need." Amen to that!

Watch the music video below.