Song Review: Happy in Jesus by Eric McAllister
One of mine and JonEllen’s favorite things to do while in other cities is to gather with a gospel preaching church in the area. We typically leave encouraged and we learn tons from different contexts. It was our one year anniversary and the sermon text came from Malachi 2:10– 3:6. A portion of that text reads:
So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless” (Mal. 2:15–16 ESV).
You can’t make this stuff up! God’s providence met us in a special way. Besides this amazing sermon, I had never heard one of the songs the church joyfully sang and clapped to. I remember hearing verse 3 and 5, reading the name of the songwriter to the songs, and thinking “Who is this Eric McCallister guy?” as I nodded my head to the beat of the cajon and the well-timed claps with this multi-ethnic church.
Verse 3 sings:
When temptation is calling
Do you flee to His side —
As the pleasure of sin is eclipsed
By the beauty of Jesus Christ?
Verse 5 bolstered my love for the Lord’s day gathering:
Do you long for His presence
Just to be where He dwells?
For a day with the Savior is better Than thousands anywhere else
Fast forward to the last T4G. I texted my friend John Lee on Wednesday night, “Any late night hangs?” To which he replied, “Eric McCallister is hosting a sing-along, so I’m coming!”
Finally, the answer to my question, “Who is this Eric McCallister guy?” would be answered in a home in Louisville that soon filled up with loud singing much like we participated in during T4G, but perhaps louder, and with a beat that won’t let you stand still.
Eric grew up in a home steeped in the Bible and full of music. But it was during his undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, with the help of patient parents, faithful friends, and John Piper sermon transcripts that he fell in love with the Savior. He graduated in 2007 with a degree in African-American Music. After years of serving in different church contexts as music director, Eric grew in his passion for equipping local churches to sing the timeless truths of Scripture in ways that faithfully embrace and transcend their cultural context by crafting songs and training leaders toward that aim (From Welcome Our Newest Staff Member: Eric McAllister, Director of Music and Liturgy by Juan Sanchez).
I was happy to sing Happy in Jesus that night in an old home in Lousville with some joyful brothers and sisters. I lead There is a Fountain at Iron City Church the way I do due to the inspiration of Eric who has been a great friend and mentor to me the last few months. His album (as Sunday Morning Songs) Gather, Pray, & Eat with Hey Barnabas! is one I am anxiously looking forward to in 2023 if it’s anything like “Refiner” and “Happy in Jesus”.
Beside the two verses I already highlighted, below are three noteworthy details about Happy in Jesus from his upcoming album Gather, Pray, Eat.
- The Gospel Roots
Eric is not leaving his roots; he is digging deeper into them. The choir, the edifying ad libs, the tambourine — you name it. The gospel roots are all there in a convergence of doxology and theology.
2. Catechistic Verses, a Joyful Chorus
The heart-penetrating verses are good questions to ask oneself as a Christian.
Am I happy in Jesus?
Does the gospel leave me thrilled?
Would I rather have Jesus than the praises of kings?
Do I rest in the sweet commendation of knowing I’ve been redeemed?
When temptation is calling do I flee Jesus’ side?
Is Jesus my treasure? Have I counted the cost?
Do I long for his presence? Just to be where he dwells?
These are all great diagnostic questions that when answered correctly by Spirit-empowered obedience lead the Christian to sing the joyful chorus:
Happy in Jesus! Forgiven and free!
He means more than this whole wide world to me!
Wonderful Jesus! The one that I call
My life, my peace, my joy, my all in all!
3. Though sung by a talented vocalist and choir, it is still fairly singable for a congregation.
This song was nowhere to be found in February of 2023, but my wife and I hummed the chorus around our apartment repeatedly after only singing it once with the saints of Bethany Baptist. That is typically a good sign for any song, much more a song you want to sing at church.
It is originally sung in the key of E, so perhaps the congregation would do better in the key of D. Either way, with some repetition this song can be a great gospel addition into your own listening or your church’s rotation. I’ve seen it played with a cajón and a guitar, a cajón and keys, and of course the recorded version has other tasteful instrumentation. Nonetheless, this song will prove to be what it was designed to be: a catchy tune of deep gospel joy.
Listen here.
