Matthew West - The God Who Stays Lyrics
Lyrics
If I were You I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
Cause I feel just like a lost cause
If I were You I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
Cause I feel like I'm beyond repair
But somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here
You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done
Could separate my heart
From the God who stays
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way
Somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here
You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays
My shame can't separate
My guilt can't separate
My past can't separate
I'm Yours forever
My sin can't separate
My scars can't separate
My failures can't separate
I'm Yours forever
No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I'm Yours forever
You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done
can separate my heart
From the God who stays
Video
Matthew West - The God Who Stays (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Matthew West’s “The God Who Stays,” released as part of the *Brand New Deluxe Edition* album in April 2021, is a powerful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God. The song delves into the profound truth that while our circumstances and even the people in our lives may change, God's presence and commitment to us remain constant. This isn’t a song about superficial loyalty; it’s a deep exploration of divine character, drawing parallels to core biblical narratives that underscore God’s enduring love. The narrative of the song powerfully reflects the Old Testament promise found in Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." West beautifully articulates this through the simple yet profound declaration that God is the one who stays, a concept that echoes throughout Scripture, from Abraham’s covenant with God (Genesis 15:1-6) to the New Testament affirmation in Hebrews 13:5, "He himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" The song resonates with the experience of those who have faced shifts in relationships or personal journeys, finding solace and strength in the unchanging nature of their Creator. It speaks to a God who doesn't abandon us when we falter or when life takes unexpected turns, mirroring Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The message encourages a deeper trust in God’s presence through every season, a faithfulness that surpasses human fickleness. This devotion is not earned; it is an intrinsic attribute of God, as described in Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." "The God Who Stays" serves as a comforting reminder that in a world of impermanence, God’s steadfast love is the anchor that holds firm.