Skip to main content

"Mercy" by Avery Stafford: Finding Freedom in God’s Compassion


Avery Stafford's "Mercy" is a relatable song that has been released on Juneteenth, 2025, a time when the world could use a lot more grace. It's a beautiful Christian-pop crossover with a unique two-meter rhythm. The song delivers a powerful message at a time when our world desperately needs individuals filled with mercy and grace. It looks at struggles that most are very familiar with, like self-doubt, guilt, and our longing for unconditional love. Avery asks, "Would You love me if You knew me like I know me?" We already know God's answer: He loves each and every one of us! "That's mercy!" 

Avery Stafford - MercyWe are awed by God's compassion: "Offered kindness in my blindness at my weakest." We cannot earn His grace, and even when we fail, His grace still applies. He already paid the price for us, "The cruel, awful payment so I'd be free" and the cost of redemption was huge! Whatever is weighing us down or holding us away, we may know, "The walls came crashing down in defeat // To Your mercy!", so we may celebrate that He has freed us from guilt. 

His mercy is an example that we may follow and be reflected through us, because the world desperately needs people filled with mercy and grace who act accordingly. This need is reflected in our daily interactions and highlighted by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's public call for mercy. 

When asked how "Mercy" differs from others in his catalog, Avery shared a thought-provoking response: "This one is more than personal. It's deeply human. Rarely does anyone escape the self-doubt that comes with the daily human experience. We seek love, but often find it comes with strings and conditions. So, I poured my own self-loathing and doubt into a praise and worship song that wonders if God would love me if He knew me as I know myself. The message of our shared humanity and our collective need for God's mercy make this song unique." 

Avery sings, "With Your mercy before me and behind me // Nothing will hold me, keep me - from praising Your name!" This song inspires gratitude and adoration and encourages you to connect with God. May this song guide you to find hope and healing in Him, and encourage you to mirror His mercy and grace to the world around you.

(Related scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:4-5; Psalm 103:8-12)

Connect with Avery Stafford

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

Tags:

Popular posts

"Your Love" by Kevin Winebarger - When Mercy Becomes Your Identity

Kevin Winebarger teamed up with Joshua Frerichs and Benji Cowart to create this beautiful song. "Your Love" tackles that discouraging voice we all hear from time to time, the one that whispers that we're not enough and that we are defined by our past. "Once a liar, always a liar," and all kinds of variations along this same line of thought. This song isn't about wallowing in shame. "Your Love" is a celebration of the grace that changes everything.  The opening lines hit hard: "I could believe that I'm not enough // It's clear to see I don't measure up." Yep, we've all been there! But this isn't how God want us to be defined… He loved us first! "It's just what You've done // Because of Your love." That's the heart of everything.  Kevin places the change the God brings into perspective, "I could believe that my mistakes // Will follow me down into the grave // But I'm not who I was....
More >>

Brandon Lake - Praise You Anywhere (CCM)

'Praise You Anywhere' by Brandon Lake is a powerful anthem that encourages us to turn to praise in every season of life. No matter the circumstances we face, choosing to praise God will shift our perspective and ignite faith within us. The lyrics of the song remind us that in the midst of darkness, fire, and challenges, we can dance, sing, and praise God. We are called to worship even when it doesn't make sense and to boldly face the giants that stand before us. The song emphasizes the power of praising God in the highest, acknowledging His worthiness of all our praise. Brandon Lake's heartfelt message resonates with the reality that there are times when we find ourselves in prisons and battles. However, even in those moments, we can cry out to heaven, stand firm, and worship with our hands held high. The song encourages us to trust that God will bring us through, and in response, we will praise Him anywhere. The bridge of the song beautifully highlights God's faith...
More >>

'Lonely Dirt Road' by Dax: A Journey to Solitude and God

Dax's 'Lonely Dirt Road' is a conversation that Dax has with himself and God. Dax shares his journey of turning mental health walks into healing solitary drives. As you listen, you can almost feel the cruise, where it's just you, your thoughts, and God.  The chorus is so relatable: 'When I need space, that's where I go, a place to escape that nobody knows.' What do you do when life's pressures stack high? Do you also have a space where you can let go? That lonely dirt road that Dax sings about symbolizes solitude, but it is also an incredible opportunity for connecting with God.  Dax's honesty is raw and relatable. 'I didn't want my family to see me cry… dealing with the pressure of trying to provide.' There are times when we all put on a smile to hide how challenging situations may be. Like his father, Dax says that he finds peace on this lonely road, where challenges become opportunities to grow. This shows the core of our faith: that...
More >>