“Don’t tell that story!”
When Beth Moore was just starting out as an aerobics instructor and Bible study teacher, she was counseled not to share about the abuse she endured as a child. The advice was well-meaning. But she rejected it.
Moore consistently brought those experiences into her teaching. Her purpose wasn’t to dwell on the pain, but to point people toward the healing she found in Jesus. Her honesty gave people in hard seasons something they desperately needed - hope! Moore’s life was proof that God shows up in the darkest places and that His presence changes everything. That willingness to share the hard stuff (and the healing that followed) became the foundation of her widespread impact, including her Bible study book, Breaking Free.
That’s exactly the message at the heart of Red Rocks Worship’s song, “The Lord is with Me.” The song was recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside Denver, Colorado, and Chris Brown of Elevation Worship joined the Red Rocks Worship team for the recording.
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Red Rock Worship’s Tyler Roberts shared his prayer for the song: “We can’t wait to hear the stories of how God uses this song to help his people. I am praying this song will be an anthem for those who are walking through some really hard stuff, that it will strengthen their faith and encourage their spirit to keep moving forward, knowing that they’re not alone.”
Chris Brown echoed that hope. “It is packed with truths we all need, as a reminder that, no matter what we’re facing, we’ve got a helper. He’s with us. He’s for us at all times. I hope this song ministers to you.”
Hearing this song reminded me of a defining moment in the narrative of Scripture. As the people were preparing to leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 31, Moses told them, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” The same promise that sustained Moses’ generation sustains ours—and it’s exactly what “The Lord is With Me” was written to proclaim.
The lyrics of “The Lord Is With Me” echo a consistent biblical message: God’s presence removes fear, sustains us in trials, and protects His people even in the fire.
The repeated declaration in the title and chorus, “The Lord is with me,” reflects the confidence of the writer of Psalm 118:6. “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” God’s presence is greater than any enemy or any scheme plotted against us. Because God is present, we can face hardship without being ruled by fear.
The song’s line “Ever present in my hour of need” closely parallels Psalm 46:1, in which the descendants of Korah declare, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” In my work as a pastor, I often counsel people who are shocked by the suffering they face. They say, “I thought that getting close to God would keep these things out of my life.” It’s one of the most common and painful misconceptions I encounter. Scripture repeatedly teaches that God does not promise a life without struggle. He does promise His enduring presence with us in the struggle.
The song’s imagery of walking through fire and the lyric “I may be thrown in the fire, but I’m gonna walk out” points to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego recorded in Daniel 3. In that famous moment, King Nebuchadnezzar is astonished and declares in Daniel 3:25, “Look! I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” The fire didn’t consume them because they weren’t in it alone! Just as God was present with those three men in the furnace over two thousand years ago, the song reminds believers that they are never alone in their trials.
Together, these Scriptures reinforce the message of “The Lord is With me.” When the Lord is with us, fear loses its power, suffering is not faced alone and even the fiercest fires cannot ultimately overcome God’s people.
We all have songs we reach for when life gets hard. “The Lord is With Me” is one worth keeping close. The song does not promise easy answers, but it keeps pointing you back to the One who shows up in the fire.
Beth Moore was right to tell her story. And this song is right to tell its truth. If you’re in a hard season right now, let it be the reminder you need: you’re not walking through this alone.
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. Forty thousand subscribers from over fifty countries are excited to read his free newsletter every Tuesday morning. You can join his gratitude challenge here today!
