John P. Kee + James Fortune - Life and Favor (You Don't Know My Story) Lyrics
Lyrics
Some people have seen where God has brought you from
They really don't understand it
They don't know your story.
You don't know my story
You don't know the things that I've come through
You cannot imagine
The pain the trials I've had to endure
You don't know my story
You don't know the day He set me free
You cannot imagine
The strongholds and the walls that severed me
In all God has been faithful to me
He promised He would never leave me
My story proves that God can use me
Deliverance is my testimony
You don't know -- my story!
You don't know -- my story.
You don't know my story
The anguish and the guilt that consume me
Grateful I can tell it
For no more shall the shackles condemn me
You don't know my story
For if you did you would lift up your hands
So just let me tell you
By faith you may as well break out and dance.
In all God has been faithful to me
He promised He would never leave me
My story proves that God can use me
Deliverance is my testimony
You don't know -- my story!
You don't know -- my story.
Through my testimony that the blood of the lamb –
Delivered again
Now I have a testimony;
Favor's upon me
Grace and Mercy, Love and Peace
Abound
All in you I've found
A lord that will not ever leave me
(He wont forsake me.)
You don't know my story --
I'm delivered, here's my story
Life and Favor upon me He brought me out
You don't know it, let me tell it
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
God of Mercy He who loves me
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
Oh how wondrous is my story
Life and favor He brought me out
Can't imagine what I've gone through
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
Can't imagine what I've gone through
Can't imagine.
I'm delivered, here's my story
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
You don't know it, let me tell it
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
God of mercy He who loves me
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
Oh how wondrous is my story
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
Can't imagine what I've gone through
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
I'm delivered, here's my story
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
(Can't imagine)
Can't imagine what I've gone through
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
God of mercy, He who loves me
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
Oh how wondrous is my story
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
Can't imagine what I've gone through
Life and favor upon me He brought me out
(Heyyyyy, hey, hey, hey)
Life and favor upon me –
Video
John P. Kee & New Life - Life & Favor (You Don't Know My Story)
Meaning & Inspiration
John P. Kee & New Life, joined by James Fortune, unveiled the powerful anthem "Life and Favor (You Don't Know My Story)" on December 26, 2012. This song immediately distinguishes itself as a profound narrative of redemption and divine intervention, moving beyond mere musical performance to deliver a sermon in song. At its core, the piece addresses the common human tendency to judge others based on superficial appearances or present blessings, all while being completely unaware of the arduous, often painful journey that has shaped them. The central refrain, "You don't know my story," serves as both a gentle rebuke to hasty judgment and a bold declaration of a divinely orchestrated transformation, inviting listeners to consider the unseen struggles that precede visible favor.
The narrative delves deep into personal suffering, articulating experiences of "pain the trials," "anguish and the guilt," and the overwhelming presence of "strongholds and the walls that severed." These are not trivial adversities but profound battles that resonate with anyone who has grappled with internal conflict, societal pressures, or past mistakes. The song doesn't shy away from the raw honesty of these struggles, but rather uses them as a powerful backdrop to illuminate God's transformative power. This acknowledgment of deep affliction, followed by an unwavering testimony, aligns with the biblical principle found in Romans 5:3-4, which states that "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." The very difficulties recounted become the foundation for a testimony that God not only brings one through but also uses for His greater glory.
Crucially, the song anchors its message in the unwavering faithfulness of God. Amidst the recollection of profound trials, the steadfast declaration, "In all God has been faithful to me, He promised He would never leave me," echoes through the verses. This conviction is a cornerstone of Christian faith, directly referencing scriptural promises such as Deuteronomy 31:6 and Matthew 28:20, where God assures His constant presence. The concept of "Deliverance is my testimony" signifies a total liberation from the aforementioned strongholds, a divine intervention that breaks chains and sets the captive free. This is not simply a personal escape but an act of God, explicitly linked to "the blood of the lamb," a powerful biblical metaphor for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ that cleanses and delivers from sin and its consequences (Revelation 12:11). The personal story, therefore, becomes tangible proof that "my story proves that God can use me," transforming weakness into strength and shame into a powerful testament to His grace.
As the song crescendos, the declaration evolves from a defensive stance to a celebratory one, proclaiming, "I'm delivered, here's my story, Life and Favor upon me He brought me out." This shift encapsulates the very essence of God's redemptive work. "Life and Favor" signifies not just survival, but a thriving existence marked by divine blessing and special grace, much like the favor bestowed upon Noah or Mary in scripture (Genesis 6:8, Luke 1:30). It’s a profound spiritual inheritance where "Grace and Mercy, Love and Peace Abound," all found in the Lord who "will not ever leave me." The repetitive, affirming phrase "He brought me out" powerfully emphasizes God's active role as a rescuer and provider, lifting the individual from unimaginable depths into a place of abundance and peace. The song doesn't just narrate a journey; it calls for a response, urging others to "lift up your hands" and "break out and dance," encouraging joyous worship in acknowledgment of God's miraculous work, reflecting the exuberance of praise found throughout the Psalms. This compelling anthem ultimately serves as an inspiring declaration that through God's unwavering faithfulness, any story, no matter how riddled with pain, can be transformed into a vibrant testimony of His delivering power and unending favor.