Prolific singer/songwriter Phil Wickham continues to gain momentum with his modern style of vertical worship and poetic lyrics. Leading corporate worship nationwide, Wickham--known for such hits as "You're Beautiful" and "Divine Romance"--describes the daily truths he is learning with a tender yet poignant voice and a passionate cry of worship.

I loved Phil Wickham's critically acclaimed sophomore album Cannons and the distinguished singer/songwriter finds his voice on his third studio album, Heaven and Earth, which finds him creating infectious melodies that have contemplative and honest messages of surrender and abandon. For the first time in his career, Wickham felt like he had a story to tell, writing specific songs to remind the Church of the reality of the Gospel and for whom we are created. I can imagine singing many of these songs with fellow believers, and although Phil hasn't really been a radio fixture in the past, these melodies are off the charts and any test audience will have a hard time not giving these songs five-star ratings. 

The first single off the album was the song "Safe" featuring MercyMe's frontman Bart Millard, who just so happened to be passing through San Diego as Wickham was recording the song. "In My Love" is his new radio single, which speaks about God's promises to us, His children. The song is from the recently released expanded edition of Heaven and Earth. The expanded edition also features fan favorite "Great in My Life," which was not on original album because it did not fit in with the other songs. Also there is an "Eden" remix and "One Who Overcomes," a song Phil originally sang for a recent Catalyst album.

I got the great chance to interview Phil in person at Revelation Generation Festival about "In My Love." You can listen to our entire interview here.  The following are some of his answers.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

This song was written from a few different circumstances in my life. My wife and I have a friend who died from cancer just a few months ago. I went home and I was trying to process everything going on. Our friend's name is Karen and her husband is Jeff. Jeff did our wedding and introduced me to my wife. Karen and Jeff were our marriage counselors. Karen recently passed away. This song isn't about cancer and it isn't about someone dying. It is about God's promises and being faithful in both good and bad times. It's amazing when you see the faithfulness of God's rest and peace come to people who have learned to depend on Him no matter what. I've never had someone so close to me die before and I've really learned to depend on God no matter what. That's what this song is about. Jeff is very faithful. Jesus gives promises to us like "come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." Also, He thinks about us all the time and has plans for us. These promises have so much hope and satisfaction and peace. It's one thing to know those promises; it's another thing to trust in them. I saw it firsthand in my good friend Jeff and how he trusts in the God of Love. The promises bring a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Please tell me about any Bible verses that you used to write the song.

Matthew 11:29-30: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

What do you consider to be the take-away message for listeners?

The God who calms oceans, the God who says come to Me with open arms is here with us today. He understands sorrow. It says in the Bible that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Jesus understands pain and took the sin of the world on His back. Our God can sympathize with our weaknesses. In Christ Jesus, nothing can separate us from Him. Abiding in Christ is sweet and invokes a lot of reverence. There is a certain amount of faith and challenge that goes with that promise. You need to have the kind of faith that my friend Jeff has that he believes that promise even when his wife died. I would love this song to encourage those dealing with loss and for those who are living their lives in pursuit of God's Love. 

Here are the lyrics:

I have looked you in the eyes
I have seen the tears you cried
I have heard you question why you are here

There is a reason, there's a plan
There is a God Who understands
He's got your life inside His hands
Have no fear
Cuz He says

In all your hurt and in all your pain
I'll never leave, I won't forsake
You're my child and I'm your God
Come and rest in my love

I know this road is deep
And I know you're tired and weak
But the God of perfect peace is right here

He is the shelter from the storm
He is the rock forth and secure
He is hope forever more
Have no fear
Cuz He says

In all your hurt and in all your pain
I'll never leave, I won't forsake
You're my child and I'm your God
Come and rest in my love
When everything seems out of control
I'm holding on, I won't let go
You're my child and I'm your God
Come and rest in my love

There is hope tonight
There is everlasting life
Dry away your tears
Coz tomorrow is on the rise
Love will never fail
He will never fail
He says

In all your hurt and in all your pain
I'll never leave, I won't forsake
You're my child and I'm your God
Come and rest in my love
When everything seems out of control
I'm holding on, I won't let go
You're my child and I'm your God
Come and rest in my love
In my love
In my love

God promises us in Matthew 11:29-30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. God comes and claims us in our darkest place. When we are in communion with God, it is joyful and not a burden. God has not forgotten you, He is closer than you could ever imagine. He is still the same today as yesterday, and His ultimate goal is "that you might have life, and life abundantly."

God doesn't make bad things happen to us. He came to give us life and to live with Him eternally by trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation. Know "that all things work together for good to them that love God." If you've put all of your hope and trust in Jesus to save you from yourself, know it as a matter of fact. I love how this song incorporates the truth that as Christians we can all have complete faith in God in any circumstance and that He is singing over us, "You're my child and I'm your God. Come and rest in my love."

Here's a video with Phil telling the story about the song.