The origin of MIKESCHAIR was set in a freshman guy’s dorm room one night at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. The band’s name, MIKESCHAIR, begs for an explanation. “The 'chair' was the central gathering point where we got our start,” says lead guitarist Sam Tinnesz. “All of us lived on the same floor of our dorm at Belmont, except for Mike Grayson. Since he was always hanging out with us on our floor, we decided to get him a piece of furniture to make him feel a little more at home. The chair was his only piece of property on our floor. He wrote his name on it in big capital letters, and it kind of became his seat of inspiration for writing songs and being creative. The name is a reminder of our humble beginnings and how far God has brought us.”

MIKESCHAIR released an excellent self-titled debut. Their sound is a very nice combination of Rush of Fools, Tenth Avenue North and Fee.

I got the chance to speak with lead singer Mike Grayson about their current hit single, “Let The Waters Rise,” which has already topped the charts and is the stand-out song from their debut. Here is what Mike shared with me about the song.

Please tell me about the background in writing the song "Let The Waters Rise."

This song started with a very specific topic--teen pregnancy. We started writing the song and realized midway through that there’s so much in the song that’s very universal so we opened it up to more of a general song dealing with hardship.

The song is based on John 16:33, where Jesus is speaking and says “take heart for I have overcome the world.” In writing the song, our prayer became so much more global. Our prayer is that we’ll see a generation of believers who, even in the midst of a raging sea, choose to follow Jesus. People have grasped the water rising concept, but for us the song isn’t about the thought of “bring it on God.” The song is based on the response we should have to God in any situation.

Do you have a life verse or any Bible verses you used in writing the song?

John 16:31-33: Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

What's the takeaway message for listeners regarding the song?

This response to this song has been so incredibly humbling. There was this guy in Missouri who came up to us after we finished a show and he was crying and said, “I needed to come tonight and tell you that I was to the point of thinking of taking my life. When your song came on the radio, I made the decision to not kill myself. My kids still have a father thanks to your song.”

I was blown away that God has used the song to literally save someone's life. We hear stories from kids who tell us that they cling to this song after their dogs die to couples who are clinging to the truth of the song when their marriages are falling apart. It’s incredible. Every night when I sing it, the song is a heart check for myself. It’s convicting. I have to ask myself if I believe the words I’m singing. It’s something I cherish that the song convicts us as a band along with our listeners.

Here are the lyrics to “Let The Waters Rise.”

Don't know where to begin
Its like my world's caving in
And I try but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here?

sometimes its so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where you want me to
God, I trust You

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
'Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You're never out of reach

God, You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

I love this song. Mike Grayson shared some amazing stories about how this song has helped people. The take-away for me is in those moments where people are overwhelmed, it’s the choice in that moment to fight against what we feel and cling to the truth. Many times we don’t cling to the one thing that we should, which is Jesus. Faith isn’t always what we feel and we need to choose the act of obedience.

Here’s Matthew Henry’s commentary on John 16:31-33: “Peace in Christ is the only true peace, in him alone believers have it. Through him we have peace with God, and so in him we have peace in our own minds. We ought to be encouraged, because Christ has overcome the world before us. But while we think we stand, let us take heed lest we fall. We know not how we should act if brought into temptation; let us watch and pray without ceasing, that we may not be left to ourselves.”