More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music

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There are some songs that stay with us—not because they were tied to a moment, but because they put words to a posture of faith we keep coming back to. Even If by MercyMe is one of those songs for me. At its core, it gives voice to a tension we all know well: trusting that God is able… while also learning to remain faithful when He doesn’t act in the way we hope He will.
Key Points
“Even If” by MercyMe gives voice to a deeply biblical kind of faith—a faith that remains even when God doesn’t intervene the way we hope He will.
The song is rooted in Daniel 3, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declare that God can save them…but even if He doesn’t, they will not bow.
The modern testimony behind the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” echoes the same posture—sorrow acknowledged, trust unshaken.
This phrase even if names something many believers live daily: trusting God when the outcome is uncertain, painful, or opposite of what we prayed for.
The enemy still whispers the same lie King Nebuchadnezzar did: “What god could save you now?” Recognizing that lie and responding with truth shapes our spiritual resilience.
Scriptures Referenced
Daniel 1–3 – Context of the exile, rise of Daniel and his friends, and the furnace account
Daniel 3:16–18 – “The God we serve is able…but even if…”
Daniel 2:49 – Their roles in Babylon
Daniel 1:17–20 – God-given wisdom and favor
Supporting historical reference from the story behind “It Is Well with My Soul”
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Consult a summary or introduction before diving into a book you’re less familiar with (e.g., study Bible intros, Blue Letter Bible, BibleProject).
Read in context – Start in Daniel 1 and read through Daniel 3 to see the full arc of faithfulness.
Consider historical context – Culture, timeline, exile setting, and long-term leadership roles.
Follow cross-references – Explore the broader biblical theme of steadfast trust.
Ask reflection questions – “Where is my even if? Where am I tempted to bow to cultural pressure?”
Additional Resources
Download the free Episode Guide
Lyrics - New Release Today
Blue Letter Bible ESV Introduction to the Book of Daniel
Bible Project Introduction to the Book of Daniel - BibleProject.com
Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn More
Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week's Challenge
Read Daniel 3 in context -- meaning start in chapter 1 and read all the way through chapter 3. Consider the historical context of this story. Perhaps even research the historical details further. Ask yourself how you would respond in this situation. Decide today that you will re
Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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Is your Bible collecting dust while your phone never leaves your hand? Josiah Queen’s song “Dusty Bibles” hits close to home, doesn’t it? In this episode, we take that convicting image and follow it straight into Scripture—where King Josiah literally rediscovered God’s Word after years of neglect. His response? Humility, repentance, and bold action that changed a nation.
What could happen if we did the same? Join me as we explore Josiah’s story in 2 Kings 22–23 and uncover practical ways to move beyond neglect and let God’s Word transform our lives. Grab your Bible (or your audio app!) and let’s dust it off together.
Key Points
Josiah Queen’s song “Dusty Bibles” paints a vivid picture of neglecting God’s Word in favor of modern distractions.
We explore the story of King Josiah in 2 Kings 22–23, who literally rediscovered a dust-covered scroll and responded with humility, repentance, and action.
Josiah’s example reminds us that interacting with God’s Word leads to transformation—not just for us, but for those around us.
Scriptures Referenced
2 Kings 21–23 – Josiah’s heritage and reforms
2 Chronicles 34–35 – Parallel account of Josiah’s reign
Genesis 7 – Example of tackling hard truths in Scripture
2 Timothy 4:3–4 – Warning against itching ears
James 4:4, 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34, Isaiah 66:2 – God’s view on humility
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Consult trusted sources – Commentaries or pastors for confirmation
Read in context – Chapters before and after the main text
Follow cross-references – Compare Kings and Chronicles
Listen to Scripture – Audio versions count!
Compare translations – Gain deeper insight
Additional Resources
Download the free Episode Guide
Lyrics - New Release Today
Holman Old Testament Commentary: I & II Kings by Gary Inrig - Amazon Paid Link
Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn More
Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week's Challenge
Let’s dust off our Bibles, cleanse our lives of our idols, and let God’s Word be our guide. With that in mind, read Josiah’s narrative in context — read 2 Kings 21-23. Be sure to follow the cross references to 2 Chronicles 34-35. Meditate on Josiah’s interaction with God and His Word. How did he respond? How could we emulate him as we interact with God and Scripture?
Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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What happens when you change one word in the title of a classic Christmas hymn? A new perspective and a fresh reason to dive into Scripture. This week’s song, “O Come, All You Unfaithful” by Sovereign Grace Music, invites us to consider the people God included in the Christmas story—and how we are just like them.
This song flips the script on who is invited to come and see what God has done. Instead of calling the faithful to gather in celebration, it beckons the weary, the broken, and the unfaithful—the ones who feel disqualified. That single word change in the title opens the door for us to explore the heart of God revealed in Scripture: a God who draws near to the weak and the waiting, the guilty and the hiding, and offers hope through Christ’s birth.
Key Points
The opening line of this song—“O come, all you unfaithful”—offers a perspective shift worth exploring.
The lyrics list characteristics that mirror real people in the Christmas narrative: Weak and unstable
Barren
Waiting
Weary of praying
Bitter and broken
Fears unspoken
Guilty
Hiding

God included these kinds of people in His redemption story—and He invites us too.
Hosea’s prophecy reminds us of God’s faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness.
We are unfaithful until we are redeemed by the Faithful One—Jesus.
Scriptures Referenced
Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 (Christmas narrative)
Luke 1:5–7; 11–20 (Zechariah and Elizabeth)
Luke 2:8–9; 25; 38 (Shepherds, Simeon, and Anna)
Matthew 1:18–20; 24 (Joseph’s obedience)
James 2:5 (God chooses the poor)
Hosea 2:16–20; 6:3; 6:6–7 (God’s steadfast love and faithfulness)
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Read in context—Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2
Read aloud—alone or with a friend
Share with a friend—Share Scripture with someone over coffee and Christmas cookies
Compare and contrast—Compare and contrast God's faithfulness with the faithlessness of His people in Hosea’s prophecy 
Remember, the people in Scripture were real—just like us
Additional Resources
Download the free Episode Guide
Lyrics - New Release Today
Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn More
Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week's Challenge
Read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. I suggest reading the text aloud alone or with a friend. The story is familiar, and this habit will slow you down. Download the Episode Guide for a list of the human characteristics featured in our song, and look for these characteristics in the real people featured in the Christmas narrative. Read the prophecy of Hosea and compare and contrast the faithfulness of God to the unfaithfulness of His people. Then turn back to the Christmas story—come and see what God has done. Christ is born for you.
Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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This week, we use “Sweet Baby Jesus” by Carrie Underwood to meditate on the miracle and mystery of the incarnation — Jesus, fully God and fully man, wrapped in the fragile form of a baby. As you revisit the Christmas story this season, don’t miss the weight of what God has done and the wonder held in the hypostatic union [and yes, I will define this].
As we officially step into the Christmas season, let's turn our attention to the birth of Christ — not as a sentimental scene, but as the breathtaking reality of God putting on flesh to save us. Join me in the pages of Scripture to explore the humanity and deity of Christ, the theological significance of the incarnation, and why it matters for your faith today.
Key Points
Why slowing down and reading Scripture aloud (a BITE) helps us engage familiar passages with fresh eyes
Zechariah and Elizabeth as a reminder that God hears and answers prayer in His perfect timing
The biblical foundation for Jesus’ full humanity
The biblical foundation for Jesus’ full deity
Why the virgin birth matters
What the Church has historically affirmed through the creeds
Why the hypostatic union (Jesus as fully God and fully man) is essential to the gospel
The danger of reshaping Jesus into the version we “like best”
How the incarnation should correct, confront, comfort, and call us into deeper worship
Scriptures Referenced
Matthew 1–2
Luke 1–2
...and more referenced in the Episode Guide
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Read the text aloud – Helps you slow down and notice details you may otherwise skim.
Slow down – Especially helpful when reading familiar passages (like the Christmas narrative).
Read in a different translation – I used the New Living Translation to hear the story in fresh language.
Immerse yourself in the story – Engage the narrative as it unfolds to better understand the people, promises, and patterns Scripture reveals.
Additional Resources
Download the free Episode Guide
Lyrics - New Release Today
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem - Amazon Paid Link
Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn More
Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week's Challenge
Read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 this week. I challenge you to slow down and maybe even read it out loud to keep a familiar passage fresh. Download the Episode Guide to follow along with Scripture references that display the humanity and deity of Christ. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what aspects of His nature you would rather not think about, and then turn in confession and repentance and believe in ALL that Jesus is — fully human, fully God.
Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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Do you ever feel like you should have “arrived” by now? The truth is, sanctification is a lifelong process, and God’s grace is still at work in us. Crowder reminds us of this in his song “STILL”, and this week we’ll use it as inspiration to dive into Scripture. 
In this episode, I introduce a new Bible study method called WHALES that helped me uncover fresh insights in the book of Jonah. Jonah’s story is a powerful example of God’s patience and steadfast love—even when we run the other way. If God was still working on Jonah, we can trust He’s still working on us. 
Key Points
Sanctification is progressive—we never fully “arrive” this side of heaven.
Crowder’s lyrics remind us that God’s grace is ongoing.
Jonah’s rebellion shows that our choices impact others, not just ourselves.
Recognizing God’s hand isn’t enough; obedience matters.
How Michael Chanley's WHALES Bible Study Method moves us from first impressions to transformation. - Keith Ferrin's Interview with Michael Chanley
Scripture References
Jonah 1:1–6 – God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah flees in the opposite direction and falls asleep during a violent storm.
Jonah 1:7–16 – The sailors discover Jonah is the cause of the storm, reluctantly throw him overboard, and the sea calms, leading them to fear and worship the Lord.
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Read in context (all four chapters of Jonah)
Journal your thoughts
Use the WHALES method: Word – Start with Scripture
Hook – What stands out?
Anchor – How does it hold you steady?
Learn – Seek outside insight
Examine – Revisit and refine your thoughts
Sail – Move forward in prayer and sharing

Pray and share what you’ve learned with a friend
Use outside resources (study Bible, commentary, Michael Chanley’s book)
Additional Resources
Download the free Episode Guide
Lyrics - New Release Today
Keith Ferrin's YouTube BibleTalk Episode #66 with Michael Chanley - YouTube Link
Chasing WHALES: A Spiritual Dive with Jonah by Michael Chanley - Amazon Paid Link
Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn More
Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week's Challenge
Try the new Bible Study Method I introduced (W.H.A.L.E.S.) to study the book of Jonah. Really lean into the examine step as we move from first impressions to deeper understanding and transformation.
Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.