Joy is a scandal today.
We live in a world where no one will be surprised if your answer to “How are you doing?” is any of the following words:
Tired
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Angry
Jealous
Sadness
However, if you share that you’re feeling joy when those around you are feeling difficult emotions, or you talk about how God has given you joy during hard times, you might get a weird look. Someone might ask you, “How can you be joyful right now?!”
If joy is a struggle for you these days, then you need to check Elevation Rhythm’s song, “Thank God I'm Free”. The song celebrates our redemption in Christ and the freedom He brings with a bold sound and bright energy.
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David Mutendji of Elevation Rhythm shared the heartbeat behind the song. “I hope anyone who hears this song will be a walking billboard of God’s unending love for us… The Bible tells us that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross and broke His body. Yes, there was pain, but there was also purpose. So my prayer is that, no matter what anyone is going through, as they play this song, they would sing, dance, and believe that freedom has already been paid for. Because of Jesus, we get to say, ‘Thank God that I’m free.’”
Mutendji offers a word of hope to those who don’t understand how someone facing a challenge and complicated emotions can find joy and dance in that place. If your only frame of reference for joy and dancing is good news and successful outcomes, then his words and the lyrics of the song may sound foreign or be uncomfortable.
However, “Thank God I'm Free” is not a song that calls people to escape their battles, but praise God and find hope within them. This source of hope is not based on willpower or looking forward to a change in circumstances. The song’s hope is rooted in the Scripture. Elevation Rhythm posted a carousel of images on social media, highlighting the Biblical foundation of the lyrics in the song’s bridge.
The first lyric is “You took the cross,” quoting 1 Peter 2:24. “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”
The second lyric is “You broke Your Body,” echoing Isaiah 53:5. “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.”
The third lyric is “You shed Your Blood,” drawn from Matthew 26:28. “For this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”
The fourth lyric is “Now the sinner can sing,” quoting Psalm 40:3. “He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.”
The fifth lyric is “My debt is paid,” drawn from Colossians 2:14. “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
The sixth lyric is “My record is clean,” based on the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Finally, the seventh lyric is “I couldn't do it, so You did it for me,” echoing the hopeful words of Romans 5:6. “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
I know this may seem like a long list to quote, but the reason I’m sharing all of these references is that when it seems ludicrous or impossible to respond with joy, you need to know this response is not fake and it’s not something you can conjure up. “THANK GOD I’M FREE” is an invitation to rejoice in the freedom God has given you through the greatest sacrifice that has ever been made. The lyrics you listen to and join in singing are not based upon human feelings, but eternal truth.
When my friend Steve was diagnosed with cancer, I was surprised that he continued to pull pranks around our office and looked for ways to make others laugh. My surprise turned to speechless shock one day when we were praying with someone else, and the following words came from Steve’s mouth. “Jesus, I thank you for my cancer. I thank you for how my cancer is drawing me closer to You, how it is reminding me what truly matters, and how You are opening doors with it that I wouldn’t have been able to open on my own.”
This attitude reflects the bold and bright experience one has when listening to “THANK GOD I’M FREE.” The obstacles may be daunting, but our victory is overwhelming them.
If these are challenging days for you, I hope you know that you are not alone. God has not abandoned you. He won the victory already, and He will sustain you with new mercies each morning and grace amidst your weaknesses. Keep “THANK GOD I’M FREE” playing and don’t forget to fight back with joy!
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker who loves tacos, matcha, and sneakers. With more than twenty years of ministry experience, he teaches with a blend of Biblical truth, emotional awareness, and the compassion shaped by his own struggles.
Scott’s writing has impacted over six million readers through trusted platforms such as the YouVersion Bible App, Air1 Radio, and Our Daily Bread. Whether speaking on a stage or writing on a page, he offers a steady, empathetic voice that reassures people they are seen, loved, and not beyond God's healing reach. Tens of thousands of subscribers from over forty countries are excited to read his free newsletter every Tuesday morning. You can join here today!
