CCM Backbeat: 5 Songs of Comfort

With everything going on, I thought I could benefit from a break from all the current events for a CCM Backbeat. Hopefully you will be encouraged as well. Here are five classic CCM songs of comfort.

1. He Will Make Always Make a Way – Farrell & Farrell (1984)

Let’s start with something a little fun with a true 80’s vibe.

I read the news today, oh boy
Pressures come from every side
Circumstantial evidence
Makes me want to run and hide

But nothing comes against me
That isn’t common to the rest of man
And Jesus gives me strength to carry on

So, I know He will always make a way for me
Never leave me without possibility
He will always make a way for me
Never leave me on my own

Old temptation seems to know
When I’m weakest in my mind
Tries to turn my head around
While he sneaks up from behind

But god is faithful not to let
Temptation be too much for me
And He provides the means of my escape

Temptation will come – it’s always at hand
But whatever comes I’m gonna stand
I can survive knowing He will supply all I need

2. Higher Ways – Steven Curtis Chapman (1990)

The following song ministered to me quite a bit during my later high school years and college . God’s ways can always be trusted.

If I could only fly
I’d go up and look down from the sky
So I could see the bigger picture
And Lord if I could sit with You

At Your feet for an hour or two
I’m sure I’d ask too many questions
‘Cause there’s so much going on down here
That I must confess I just don’t understand

But I have prayed
And at your feet my whole life has been laid
So I won’t worry I won’t be afraid
‘Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways
Let the road ahead become unclear
I am Yours so what have I to fear
If my soul is resting on Your higher ways

Your higher ways teach me to trust You
Your higher ways are not like mine
Your higher ways are the ways of the Father
Hiding His children in His love

But I have prayed
And at your feet my whole life has been laid
So I won’t worry I won’t be afraid
‘Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways
Let the road ahead become unclear
I am Yours so what have I to fear
If my soul is resting on Your higher ways

So let it rain
And if my eyes grow dim with tears of pain
This hope I have will not be washed away
‘Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways

Maybe then You will take me aside
And show me the bigger picture
But until I’m with You
I’ll be here with a heart that is true
And a soul that’s resting on
Your higher ways

3. He Covers Me – Steve Camp (1986)

I am not sure I can tell you how much this song encouraged me when I was younger, and it still comforts me to this day. The weight of sin is heavy, but He covers me.

Oh, Lord, I feel so barren
And ashamed of who I am
How I often fell, I hid it well
It is a lie I cannot defend
So I lean upon Your mercy
As I confess my sin to You
There is no easy way, no saving face
When I finally see the truth
So let my life be filled with only You, oh…

I know someday I will be free
The weight of sin shall be released
But for now He covers me
And though the trials never end
I’ve learned to take them as my friend
For each day He covers me

Sometimes the pressure builds around me
And I feel about to break
I suffer painfully from wrongs done to me
But vengeance isn’t mine to take
So let me glory in my weakness
Until Your strength’s revealed in me
It is Your grace, oh Lord, that helps me carry on
To be the man I long to be
So let Your life be perfected, Lord, in me
Until it’s You they see

I know someday I will be free
The weight of sin shall be released
But for now He covers me
And though the trials never end
I’ve learned to take them as my friend
For each day He covers me

And though heartache surrounds me
I know Your love is around me
Nothing can separate me from You
And I know it’s true

I know someday I will be free
The weight of sin shall be released
But for now He covers me, oh, my Lord
And though the trials never end
I’ve learned to take them as my friend
For each day He covers me
He covers me

But for now He covers me
I will be free
(I know someday I will be free)
Oh, Lord I will be free
(The weight of sin shall be released)
But for now He covers me
He covers me

4. Ready for the Storm – Rich Mullins (1988)

Though this song is not the most theologically rich, the poetic lyrics cut right to the heart with jolt of courage.

The waves crash in
The tide rolls out
It’s an angry sea
But there is no doubt
That the lighthouse
Will keep shining out
To warn a lonely sailor

And the lightning strikes
And the wind cuts cold
Through the sailor’s bones
Through the sailor’s soul
‘Til there’s nothing left
That he can hold
Except a rolling ocean

Oh, I am ready for the storm
Yes, sir, ready
I am ready for the storm
I’m ready for the storm

Oh, give me mercy
For my dreams
‘Cause every confrontation seems
To tell me
What it really means
To be this lonely sailor

And when the sky begins to clear
The sun it melts away my fear
And I cry a silent weary tear
For those who mean to love me

Oh, I am ready for the storm
Yes, sir, ready
I am ready for the storm
I’m ready for the storm

The distance it is no real friend
And time will take its time
And you will find that in the end
It brings you me
This lonely sailor

And when You take me by the hand
And You love me, Lord, You love me
And I should have realized
I had no reasons to be frightened

Oh, I am ready for the storm
Yes, sir, ready
I am ready for the storm
Yes, sir, ready
I am ready for the storm
Yes, sir, ready
I am ready for the storm
I’m ready for the storm

5. Medley: Only Jesus and Calvary’s Love – Steve Green (1986)

This song explains the reason we can be ready for the storm. If you are not familiar with this song, do not be turned off by the slow beginning. The build as the song progresses is incredible.

Only Jesus, Only He
Brings redemption, full and free
There’s a yearning, in all our lives
That only Jesus satisfies

Calvary’s love will sail forever
Bright and shining, strong and free
Like an ark of peace and safety
On the sea of human need

Through the hours of all the ages
Those tired of sailing on their own
Finally rest inside the shadow
Cast by Calvary’s love across their souls

Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love
Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of
The deepest sin can’t rise above
Calvary’s love

Calvary’s love can heal the Spirit
Life has crushed and cast aside
And redeem til Heaven’s promise
Fills with joy once empty eyes

So desire to tell His story
Of a love that loved enough to die
Burns away all other passions
And fed by Calvary’s love becomes a fire

Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love
Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of
The deepest sin can’t rise above
Calvary’s love

Calvary’s love has never faltered
All its wonders still remain
Souls still take eternal passage
Sins atoned and heaven gained
Sins forgiven and heaven gained

Bonus Song: In the Night (My Hope Lives On) – Andrew Peterson (2010)

Here is something a little more recent as a bonus. I cannot help but share this masterpiece by Andrew Peterson.

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
In the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
But he met the morning wounded with a blessing
So in the night, my hope lives on

And when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
Of the enemies of God, the enemies of God
He saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

I see the slave that toils beneath the yoke unyielding
And I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
For some hand to stay the whip his foe is wielding
Still in the night, my hope lives on

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
And the people driven, trembling, to the shore
But a doorway through the waters now is opening
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

Like the son who thought he’d gone beyond forgiveness
Too ashamed to lift his head, but if he could lift his head
He would see his father running from a distance
In the night, my hope lives on

And I can see the crowd of men retreating
As He stands between the woman and their stones
And if mercy in His holy heart is beating
Then in the night, my hope lives on

Well I remember how they scorned the son of Mary
He was gentle as a lamb, gentle as a lamb
He was beaten, He was crucified, and buried
And in the night, my hope was gone

But the rulers of this earth could not control Him
No, they did not take His life, He laid it down
And all the chains of death could never hope to hold Him
So in the night, my hope lives on

And I can see the Son of Man descending
And the sword He swings is brighter than the dawn
And the gates of hell will never stand against Him
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

This list could go on and on. What are some of your favorite songs of comfort?

-D. Eaton