As a follow-up to her hit songs "Soar," and "Spirit of the Living God," Meredith Andrews has returned with her long-awaited live worship album, Faith and Wonder. The album was produced by her husband, Jacob Sooter, who also co-wrote five songs on the EP. Meredith is deeply passionate about writing and leading songs, such as "How Great is the Love," "Not for a Moment (After All)," and "Strong God," that keep people's hearts and minds set on Jesus. Her last album, Deeper was one of my top 10 worship albums of the year.
 
Meredith consistently writes and sings piercing, relevant and moving songs. What's especially cool about this album is how Meredith invites listeners into her life by sharing what's on her heart. She dwells on prayerful yearnings, lays out spiritual truths and worships God all at the same time. Meredith's excellent songwriting, singing and captivating songs have made her my favorite female worship songwriter and singer. "A Million Saints," was co-written with worship leader Phil Wickham. True to the heart of the project, this song is about the global church, lifting one voice with one heart. I had the chance to speak with Meredith about "A Million Saints," our 13th 'Behind the Song' discussion together.
Please tell me the personal story behind the song.

I was contacted by my label and they let me know that Phil Wickham had started writing this song, and it didn't end up on his last album. The label sent me the song. And, I finished it with Mia Fieldes and Hank Bentley. "A Million Saints" is a picture of heaven to me, with all of us joining in and singing, 'God, You're holy.' It's not just about me or my community. It's about the church of the world, all nations and all generations singing the same thing, lifting up one name. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The song is an invitation for the saints on earth to join in with the saints in heaven, to sing "holy, holy." One day in heaven, we'll get to join in with the saints who have gone before us and sing the song of a million saints. In the meantime, we are able to join our voices together in unison and sing about God's goodness.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Revelation 4:2-8 (NKJV): "...a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices... Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal... And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures... And they do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.'"
 
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV): "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

Philippians 2:9-11 (VOICE): "So God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him the name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess "Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord," to the glory of God our Father."

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith."
 
What is the takeaway message?

In the bible, we read that we're a chosen people and we're called to declare His praises to those who are in darkness for them to see light. "A Million Saints" is about God's heart for every nation, how He reaches through generations and calls us to Himself. That's His heart for us, to bridge the distance between us by sending His Son Jesus to die for us. And, that's something we can all sing about and say 'yes and Amen' to. The grace of God is all sufficient.

Lyrics:
You work in signs and wonders
Your voice is light and thunder
Your glory burns in every star
You flood the earth with beauty
I see You all around me
O God how wonderful You are

So I fall down with a million saints
Lift up my hands and say
You're Holy, Holy
Join in with the ancient song
Heaven and earth respond
You're Holy, Holy

Your heart for every nation
Reaches through generations
You call each prodigal Your child
You bridged the greatest distance
To grace us with Your presence
And draw the sinner to Your side
And I can't help but

Fall down with a million saints
Lift up my hands and say
You're Holy, Holy
Join in with the ancient song
Heaven and earth respond
You're Holy, Holy

Oh, for a million songs to sing
All for the glory of our King
Oh, for a million voices raised
All in a roar of endless praise
Holy, You are Holy

Fall down with a million saints
Lift up my hands and say
You're Holy, Holy
Join in with the ancient song
Heaven and earth respond
You're Holy, Holy, yeah

I fall down with a million saints
Lift up my hands and say
You're Holy, Holy
Join in with the ancient song
Heaven and earth respond
You're Holy, Holy

Closing Thoughts

Faith and Wonder is the most spine-tingling female-led worship project I've experienced this year. Every song on the album is completely anointed, spirit-led and emotionally captivating. There are no weak songs. This album is truly a masterpiece. Meredith sings with an amazing passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to our Savior that is very inspiring and emotionally moving. All of her songs are poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics. Faith and Wonder is sure to be one of my top worship albums of the year.
 
"A Million Saints" takes me to the throne room in heaven. I love how prayers and songs of praise are a communal experience that we can all share. I think the Lord wants us to long for heaven. Thanks to Jesus, we have a personal relationship with the Comforter and a peace that surpasses understanding to know that this fallen world isn't all that we are living for. We are promised an eternity with God that is so much greater than anything we've experienced on earth. The biblical descriptions of heaven are so glorious. And, this song gives listeners a foretaste of Heaven.
 
This is an incredible song for the church. You'll be raising your heart and hands in worship along with it. Clearly, some truths that we can rally behind as believers in Christ is that God is Our Father. He sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins. He rose again and conquered death. We can all say Hallelujah and celebrate those truths together, while singing along with this tune. The enthusiasm and energy is infectious and a great way to commit to King Jesus.
 
I've thought a lot about Hebrews 12:1, and how it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." The bible tells us, as believers, that we're surrounded by a "cloud of witnesses" who are the saints that have gone before us. They have shown us in scripture that you don't have to be perfect to be used by God. My soul longs for the gathering of the saints, elders, living creatures, and angels in heaven where we will all sing to Jesus: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing." (Rev 5:12-NKJV). Until then, you can sing "A Million Saints" as a foretaste of eternity, loudly exclaiming "I fall down with a million saints/Lift up my hands and say/You're Holy, Holy/Join in with the ancient song/Heaven and earth respond/You're Holy, Holy." Amen to that.