Chris Tomlin's worship albums have been highly anticipated over the past twenty years. It is likely that you've sung many of his songs at your church, including "Forever," "Unchanging," "How Great is Our God," "Jesus Messiah," "I Lift My Hands," "Our God," "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)," "At The Cross," and "Good Good Father."

Holy Roar is Tomlin's newest worship album and has been preceded by the hit songs "Resurrection Power" and "Nobody Loves Me Like You." This album is chock full of songs for the church. I had the chance to speak with Chris about "Nobody Loves Me Like You."
Please tell me the personal story behind the song.

For me, this song comes down to the second verse, which is, "Story, I could've had a really different story/But You came down from heaven to restore me/Forever saved my life." Who doesn't relate to that? This song really captured me from that second verse. Ed Cash, my producer, and his brother, Scott, were the original writers of this song. And, I've written so many songs with Ed over the years. When he played this piece, I was extremely moved.

The essence of our faith is captured in "Nobody Loves Me Like You." Where would we be without the grace of God? Personally, I'm reminded of where I would be today if I was left to my own vices. The song's message brings out the humanity in all of us. Sometimes our hardships in life point us to how Jesus can change our stories. That could push people to the grace of God. That's what I love about this song.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Lamentations 3:22-23 (VOICE): "How enduring is God's loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new. Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day."
 
Psalm 86:5 (NKJV): "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."
 
Psalm 16:8 (NASB): "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV): "Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."

Psalm 37:4-6 (NKJV): "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday."

Matthew 18:3 (NIV): And He said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 John 4:9-10 (VOICE): "Because of this, the love of God is a reality among us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we could find true life through Him. This is the embodiment of true love: not that we have loved God first, but that He loved us and sent His unique Son on a special mission to become an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

What is the takeaway message?

You can't outrun the love of God. He meets you right where you are. And, he loves you as you are. That's the essence of this song. 

I love singing this piece. It's been so powerful to see people connect with it. The chorus feels childlike in the same way as "Good Good Father." It's very simple, but sometimes that's the most powerful way to express truth. 

Another theme on Holy Roar is found in "Resurrection Power" about how "the old has gone and the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). That is what is true and sometimes we don't walk in that truth. There's a power inside of us that is given to us by God that breaks chains and strongholds, including addictions, depression, anxiety, sin and anything that would come against us. There's an overcoming power that we can live in. That's the essence of the love of God. Like it says in the Gospel of John, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son," and "There's no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends." And as the song says, when we think about Jesus, we can know that "nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus." That's what the Son of God did for us. 

"Nobody Loves Me Like You" is not a sappy love song. It's much deeper and grittier than that when you think about where we would be without the love of God in our lives. It's powerful to live in that truth.

Lyrics:
Morning, I see You in the sunrise every morning
It's like a picture that You've painted for me
A love letter in the sky

Story, I could've had a really different story
But You came down from heaven to restore me
Forever saved my life

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You

Mountains, You're breaking down the weight of all my mountains
Even when it feels like I'm surrounded
You never leave my side, oh-ooh-oh-ooooh

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You

Oh, what a song to sing
Oh, what a song to sing
Oh, what a song to sing
Oh, what a song… (My heart keeps singing)
Oh, what a song to sing (What a song)
Oh, what a song to sing (I'll never stop)
Oh, what a song to sing
Jesus, You love me
And I love You, God

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, I will worship You, forever worship You
Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus (I'm a child of God)
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways (Yes, I am)
Nobody loves me like You
Nobody loves me like You

Closing Thoughts

"Nobody Loves Me Like You" is such a great song and anthem of praise. Many of my favorite songs are based on the joy of the Psalms. And, several songs from Chris Tomlin's albums have that psalmist feel. This song challenges me to want to know God more deeply, and have more faith and security in my relationship with God.

The whole song and album is about crying out for God's presence, and desiring to know Him personally. Let's strive to know God and He will come. You have the privilege to know Him. If you're a follower of Jesus, He lives in you and has made you His home. Have that childlike faith that we are called to have as believers, as expressed in this song.

So many people can relate to the song's message. "Nobody Loves Me Like You" convicts me to know in my heart the biblical truth from Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

God's mercy is new each day, and it's not based on your performance or what you can do for Him. He pours out His mercy despite what you've done, and there's nothing you can do except trust in His Son, Jesus. You can't earn Heaven. It's only through complete surrender to Jesus and putting all your hope in Him that you can be saved.

Singing along with this song is a great way to work on the disciplines of self-examination and prayer. Our stories all connect perfectly with this song. The "irrefutable argument" we have, as believers, is to share our story of grace, which is captured in the lyrics: "Story, I could've had a really different story/But You came down from heaven to restore me/Forever saved my life."

We all deal with some level of fear, worry and anxiety. "Nobody Loves Me Like You" is about submitting your worries, anxieties and stress to God and letting Him be your guide and living out the prayer: "Mountains, You're breaking down the weight of all my mountains/Even when it feels like I'm surrounded/You never leave my side."

God wants to walk beside you, and He wants you to be bold and unafraid. God also wants you to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started when you put your hope and trust in Jesus. This song convicts me to not waste any more time. Sing along, "Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus/I stand in awe of Your amazing ways/I worship You as long as I am breathing/God, You are faithful and true/Nobody loves me like You." Amen to that.