Shane & Shane's live worship albums have been highly anticipated since their early days, which included the hit songs "Be Near," "He is Exalted," and "Yearn," by these talented worship leaders known for their biblical lyrics and stellar harmonies. For the past twenty years, they have followed that up with more songs for the church, including "Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts)," "Psalm 34 (Taste and See)," "I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)," "Before The Throne," "God of Ages Past," and "Living Water."
Psalms, Hymns, And Spiritual Songs (Live) is the latest full-length worship album by Shane & Shane and is one of my favorite worship albums ever. It features "You've Already Won," "My Portion," "Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise)," and my personal worship anthem, "Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us With Your Love)." The group also leads The Worship Initiative, composed of fellow worship leaders Davy Flowers, Hannah Hardin, Bethany Barnard, Dinah Wright, and others. I had the chance to speak with Shane Barnard about "You've Already Won."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
There's a theme in these songs, and it's the same in everything we do. We use the scriptures to remind ourselves that Jesus has won and He's given us a way when there was no way.
This album, from the recording itself to the lyrics of the songs, points to Jesus. As we seek Him, He answers. This song is a reminder of the hope and peace we have in Jesus, no matter what battles we may be facing. The lyrics speak to the truth that Jesus has already won the ultimate victory over darkness and death and that His grace and mercy are available to us today.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Revelation 21:1-4: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Hebrews 12:3: "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
1 Peter 1:13: "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 4:19: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Exodus 14:14: "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."
Hebrews 13:5-6: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Deuteronomy 31:8: "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Psalm 46:1-3: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah"
What is the takeaway message?
We can have hope and confidence in the face of tomorrow because we know that everything is in God's hands. And even when the sea is raging, we can find help and strength in the Holy Spirit, who will fix our eyes on Jesus and bring us peace.
So, if you're facing a battle today, let this song be a reminder that you are not alone and you can overcome because Jesus has already won.
The live experience is very special for us, especially when we can push record and capture it. We love Colossians 3:16, and we love seeing it happen in real-time when God's people gather to teach and admonish one another in all wisdom through singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Something special happens in that act; it's undeniable. When we're asking God to convince us--through people singing next to us, in front of us, and behind us--to believe in His love and grace and the reality that the finished work of Christ is bigger than our sin, that's when His Word begins to dwell richly in us,
Lyrics
There's peace that outlasts darkness
Hope that's in the blood
There's future grace that's mine today
That Jesus Christ has won
So I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow's in Your hands
All I need, you will provide
Just like you always have
And I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don't know what you're doing
But I know what you've done
And I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
There's mercy in the waiting
Manna for today
And when it's gone, I know you're not
You are my hope and stay
When the sea is raging
Your Spirit is my help
He'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ
I'll say that it is well
Oh, I know that it is well
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don't know what your doing
But I know what you've done, thank you, God
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
I know how the story ends
We will be with You again, You're the one who saves
You're my Savior, my defense, so we don't have to be afraid
No more fear in life or death
I know how the story ends, we will be with you
We will be with you again
You're my Savior, my defense, no more fear
No more fear in life or death, alright, y'all, with everything you've got, here we go
I know how the story ends, we will be with You
We will be with you again, You're my Savior
You're my Savior, my defense, no more fear
No more fear in life or death
I know how the story ends, oh, I need no other, need no other
I'm fighting a battle
That You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don't know what You're doing
But I know what You've done, thank You, God
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
Closing Thoughts
"You've Already Won" 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 Shane & Shane's albums also have that psalmist feel.
Once you adopt the words of this song into your heart, you will remember the truth that Jesus has always been, He is today, and He always will be the One who makes a way for us, even when it seems impossible. That's something to remember and rest upon.
We all deal with some level of fear, worry, and anxiety. This song is also about submitting all of your worries, anxieties, and stress to God, letting Him be your guide and living out the prayer, "There's mercy in the waiting/Manna for today/And when it's gone, I know You're not/You are my hope and stay/When the sea is raging/Your Spirit is my help/He'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ/I'll say that it is well/Oh, I know that it is well."
If you believe Jesus is who He says, you will want to speak up for Him. On the inside, Christians are made anew. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and we are not the same anymore. This means that we are the new creations. We are the ones who need to live as children of God.
God is looking for spiritual growth from His followers. He wants us to be born again. "You've Already Won" celebrates the freedom we have in Christ when we're born again. It's a personal testimony about the power of redemption. In today's culture, it is radical for people to accept heaven's entrance requirements--repentance and spiritual rebirth.
Are you allowing God to grow you spiritually? Look at the fallen world around you. Lift your eyes up to God and put all your faith and hope in Him. For the saved in Christ, as Revelation 21:4 puts it: "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
We serve a loving and merciful God who accepts us as we are, not who we pretend to be. I love singing this song back to Jesus, telling Him plainly that I need no other than Him.
"You've Already Won" is a stirring anthem that speaks to the power of hope in Christ. Sometimes, it can be hard to believe that God loves us so profoundly that He knows us intimately and wants to fill our hearts with His love. Yet, amid our brokenness, He sees us as righteous because of what Jesus did on the Cross. God sees us as He sees His Son, not based on our righteousness, appearance, talent, or gifting, but solely because of Jesus Christ.
As we reflect on that truth, that gives us cause to remember and sing out to Him: "I'm fighting a battle/That You've already won/No matter what comes my way/I will overcome/Don't know what You're doing/But I know what You've done, thank You, God/I'm fighting a battle/You've already won." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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