It is Finished: The Song Story

So, it's been a very long time since I've blogged. Like . . . over a year. So, I thought about getting back into it. Alot has happened in the last year. Probably too much to get into on here, but one big thing was the release of my second single, It is Finished. So, as my foray back into blogging, I figured I'd tell you a bit about the song and what went into writing it. 

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.”

Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)

Ed Rotheram found himself reflecting on the simplicity of Jeremiah’s prayer, and noted the strength and power in it as well. The impact of this prayer is what first inspired Ed to get an idea onto paper.

Often, when singing worship songs, there comes great power in singing out in faith for something that hasn’t happened yet - declaring things for what they will become, not for what they are in the here and now. Ed and I wanted to explore this concept, and we were lucky to meet up at a songwriters’ retreat in Nashville in May of 2012. Sitting in our hotel room, the idea grew.

This song admittedly has a somewhat unique song structure. It's not the typical Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Chorus format. This was not an intentional move, but was an organic outcome of the message and progression of the song. Verse lyrics came first and were constructed as a cry of the things we wanted to declare in faith - healing, salvation, justice, hope. These are things we longed for, not yet to come. In response to this, in faith, we turn it around and give thanks to the Lord in the chorus. And then, in almost as much time as it took to sing it, the bridge came:

“It is Finished, it is won

We’re forgiven, death is gone.

Ransomed, healed, forever restored,

We are free”

This is where it all began . . . 

Jesus’ final words on the cross provided the key concept and resolution for us, as all of these promises were fulfilled as a result of His death and resurrection. We are forever restored to God as a result of His sacrifice. Lyrically, this song takes us through a process: Crying out in faith for healing and restoration, giving thanks in faith for those things that the Lord has promised us, and then recognizing that through Christ’s blood, all has been accomplished.

Early in 2013, we teamed up with Philip Kothlow and his wife, Sarah Reeves (Kothlow), to produce the recording. Through Philip’s sensitive and articulate approach to the production and arrangement, as well as Sarah’s incredible, passionate vocals, new life was breathed into this tune. We are hugely grateful for them, their vision, and their gifts - this song would not have been the same without them. And I encourage you to check out more of Sarah's work online. She is a recording artist with some past recordings, and lots of videos on Youtube.

If you haven't heard It is Finished, featuring Sarah Reeves, you can download it FOR FREE on Noisetrade. The link is below. If you listen to it and like it, are moved by it or ministered to by it, please share the link with your friends and family!

Download here:  http://noisetrade.com/itisfinished/it-is-finished-feat-sarah-reeves