Brandon Lake (Feat. Chandler Moore) – Fear Is Not My Future

Brandon Lake is an American worship leader for Bethel Music and Maverick City Music.  He released four albums and one EP, including:

• Closer (2016)
• House of Miracles (2020)
• House of Miracles (Live) (2021)
• Almond Eyes (EP, 2021)
• Help! (2022)

He won 11 awards, including two ASCAP Christian Music, one Billboard Music, three GMA Dove, and five Grammy.

Also, check out my reviews of House of Miracles, Gratitude, Son of Heaven, Too Good To Not Believe, Pour Me Out, We Praise You, and This Is a Move.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

From God’s eternal perspective, He turns all that is wrong with this world into His ultimate good.  If we put our trust in Him (which is assumed to include obedience), we can expect to receive breakthrus and blessings that are beyond comprehension, though with the understanding that it’s on His timing.  This includes relinquishing fright, culpability, humiliation, disease, and the second death to receive embrace, jubilation, tranquility, and a new beginning.  In short, our future is in the hands of Jesus.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The whole thing aligns with the Bible.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Let Him turn it in your favor
Watch Him work it for your good
He’s not done with what He’s started
He’s not done until it’s good

God is in the business of turning evil into good (Genesis 50:20).  However, let the reader understand that the “good” that God produces within us sometimes requires us to undergo trials and tribulation, bringing about endurance, hope, and the perfect fruits of righteousness (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).

So let Him turn it in your favor
Watch Him work it for your good (Oh-oh)
He’s not done with what He’s started (Mm, mm)
He’s not done until it’s good

Essentially repeats lines 1-4, with an added reference to Casper the friendly ghost and response to delicious food.

[Chorus (1)]

Hello peace, hello joy, hello love
Hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon (Oh, oh, oh)

Those who trust in God can welcome the first three fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), as well as His strength (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13).  Hope, the new horizon, and “oh oh oh” are covered in my commentary on Verse 1.

Hello peace, hello joy, hello love (Ooh, oh, oh)
Hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon

Essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.  The “oh”s are just in a different place.

[Verse 2]

If you’re ready for a breakthrough
Just open up and just receivе, hey

We cannot receive if we do not ask (James 4:2).  Also, bear in mind that Jesus didn’t do many miracles in Nazareth because of their lack of faith (Matthew 13:58), which links breakthrough with faith.  Let the reader understand that part of receiving it is obedience to Christ.  Examples of this include Luke 17:14 and John 5:8-9.

‘Cause what He’s pouring out is nothing, nothing
You’vе ever seen, you’ve ever seen

Oftentimes, when God answers prayers, it is not what we expect or on our timetable (2 Peter 3:9).

[Bridge]

Fear is not my future, You are

Scripture calls us not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18).  Rather, our future lies with Christ.  He is our hope (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6).

Sickness is not my story, You are (You are, it’s You, it’s You, it’s You)
Heartbreak’s not my home, You are (You are)
You are (It’s true, oh Lord)
Death is not the end, You are (Jesus)
You are

Coming off the heels of line 1, Lake reminds us that sickness, hard times, and death itself are not our ultimate destinies.  It is eternal life with Jesus (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).

Fear is not my future, You are (You are)
You are (You are)
Sickness is not my story, You are (You are)
You are (You are)
Heartbreak’s not my home, You are (You are)
You are (Yes, You are)
And death is not the end, Jesus, You are (You are)
You are (You are)

Essentially repeats lines 1-6.

Side Note: In Bridge’s second iteration, The lyrics end with “It’s always been You, ooh, ooh My story is You”, which coincides with the rest of Bridge.

[Chorus (2)]

And goodbye fear, goodbye guilt, goodbye shame

Fear is covered in commentary on Bridge, lines 1-4.  Guilt and shame were dealt with on the cross (Colossians 2:14).

Goodbye pain (Oh), goodbye grave (Oh), it’s a new horizon (It’s a new horizon, yeah)

In the ultimate sense, pain and death will cease to exist (Revelation 21:4).  The second part essentially repeats Chorus (1), line 2.  Contains more Casper references.

Goodbye fear, goodbye guilt (Ah), goodbye shame (Bye-bye, bye-bye)
Goodbye pain (Yeah), goodbye grave (Yeah), it’s a new horizon
Goodbye fear (Hey), goodbye guilt, goodbye shame (Bye-bye, bye-bye)
Goodbye pain, goodbye grave, it’s a new horizon (Hey)
Goodbye fear, goodbye guilt, goodbye shame (Shame)
Goodbye pain (Oh, yeah), goodbye grave (Hey), it’s a new horizon (It’s a new horizon)
Goodbye fear, goodbye guilt, goodbye shame (You can’t shame me, no)
Goodbye pain (No-no, no-no), goodbye grave, it’s a new horizon
It’s a new horizon
It’s a new horizon

Essentially repeats lines 1 and 2, along with added references to refreshment, an NSYNC song, affirmation, the things that horses eat, a painful feeling of humiliation, an expression of interest, a new beginning, rejection of said humiliation, and denial.

[Post-Chorus]

Let the light in
Let the light on in
It’s a new horizon

Essentially repeats the last part of Chorus (1), line 2.

Let the light in
Let the light on in
It’s a new horizon
Let the light in
Let the light on in
It’s a new horizon
Let the light on in

Repeats lines 1-3.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will know it’s about Jesus.  Lake explicitly stated as much.  They will conclude that Christians receive blessings upon blessings if they trust in Christ, despite the sickness, pain, and fear that Christians currently experience.  Christians benefit by experiencing love, joy, peace, strength, and new life from Jesus.  Their call to action is to trust so that they can receive His blessings.  In my opinion, Lake should have added something concerning God’s timing so that they won’t think that God gives them these things instantaneously.  With due time, and with much study, they will understand this truth.  However, a word of warning would have been beneficial.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the One who brings about good amid chaos, joy amid fear, peace amid shame, favor amid hardship, and love amid guilt.  We who trust in Him can depend on Him for goodness.  He defines our story, not our circumstances.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Brandon Lake’s Fear Is Not My Future is fearless.  It focuses heavily on God’s blessing for His people, which Christians understand as based on God’s timing and not ours.  While this fact could have benefited unbelievers if cited, everyone will easily understand that the Christian life involves God turning bad into good for our benefit.  Those who are His receive abundant life with Jesus.  These glorify God.

I’m on the fence concerning recommending this for corporate worship.  Although there are elements where this song proclaims to God His value and worth, much of it also speaks directly to congregants about God’s blessings.  If the latter is your goal, you can’t go wrong with this one!

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Fear Is Not My Future (listen to the song)

Artist: Brandon Lake (Feat. Chandler Moore)

Album: HELP!

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2022

Duration: 7:03

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2022 Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing Llc. (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), Sounds Like Home Publishing (BMI) / Sound Victory Publishing (BMI) / Let There Be Songs (BMI) / Maverick City Publishing (BMI) / Brandon Lake Music (ASCAP) / Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (ASCAP) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.