In the dark.
During a thunderstorm.
When the wind shakes the house.
Walking down a street late at night.
When GPS has broken and you feel lost.
These moments can all be scary. But, they are all more unnerving when we are alone. When we feel isolated and on our own, the difficult things in life seem more daunting and the victories seem less significant.
But, when we know we aren’t alone, our resolve is greater. Our strength is mightier. Our sense of hope is brighter. Together, we are more than we are alone.
Jon Reddick taps into this reality with his song, “Don’t Fight Alone.” In the chorus, Reddick declares his confident faith that God is with him.
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“This is His promise
Yeah, this is my hope
No matter what it looks like
I don't fight alone”
Reddick continues the song by drawing on Biblical imagery when he speaks of those who’ve gone before him - “the giants cheer for me.” In Hebrews 12, the writer speaks of the encouragement of faithful men and women who have gone before us.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
That race can be exhausting and endurance can seem out of reach. While the song is inspiring and encouraging, I’ve sung similar songs and wondered what kind of battles the singer or songwriter had endured themselves.
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Reddick is no stranger to adversity, having faced his own giants since childhood. In a podcast interview with Matthew West, the man behind “Don’t Fight Alone” shared about his own fight with fear and perfectionism. Starting with his parents divorce at age 10 and a moment where a judge asked him which parent he wanted to live with, Reddick described a fear of making decisions and a paralyzing sense of perfectionism. These mental and spiritual battles had profound effects on his ability to lead worship and create art.
Later in the interview, Reddick shared with West that he had a breakthrough a few years ago during a very difficult time. “When 2020 came and all of a sudden everybody's like jacked up and videos don't have to be perfect anymore…That was actually a huge breakthrough for me, because the idea of being perfect was gone for everybody.”
Hearing Reddick’s transparent testimony reminded me of the faithfulness of God. 2020 was one of the hardest years of my life and ministry as a pastor. This testimony reminded me that we serve a God who wastes nothing. I found freedom on the other side of that year, even as Reddick did. In the back half of the song, the lyrics return to the legacy of those described in Hebrews 11 whose faith was so remarkable.
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“The God of our fathers was faithful to them
Over and over they trusted in Him
We stand on their shoulders
And carry the flame”
So, how do we carry the flame of faith that has been passed down to us? How do we hold onto this idea that we never fight alone?
In the same interview with Matthew West, Reddick shared a number of Scripture verses which point to ways we can take action.
First, we can refuse to tear other followers of Jesus down. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are called to a more life-giving path. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Second, we can prioritize being together in-person, especially at a time when it’s easy to settle for a digital connection. Hebrews 10:24-25 calls us to this path, where we read “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Third, we can put others first. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul described the difference an attitude like Jesus’ attitude would make. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Jon Reddick’s song and personal testimony remind us that we are not following Jesus alone. Just as God sustained Moses, Esther, Nehemiah, and Deborah, He will give us the strength so that we don’t fight alone. Turn on “Don’t Fight Alone” and open your Bibles to Hebrews 11-12 for a reminder that will give you new strength for today’s battle!
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps people transform difficult circumstances into places where they can thrive. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and loves watching movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s newest project, The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
