“You Never Fail” was a song I wrote after I finished reading the book of Joshua.

Joshua was entering a new season of his life, taking over the leadership of Israel from Moses. Those were big shoes to fill.

I think there were times Joshua felt apprehension and fear. He might have thought: “Can I really do this? I don’t think I’ve got what it takes.” But God spoke these words to him, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)

That verse really struck my heart, especially since I also was going through a new season in life. I had just gotten married, and the challenges of being in a marriage were far greater than I had anticipated them to be.

So many blindspots were surfaced, and working through my brokenness was emotionally and physically tiring. At the same time, I had also just started theological education. Even though I really enjoyed what I was learning, it took a lot of time and effort to grasp all that was being taught.

And on top of that, I was still working full time in Church, dealing with all the demands of ministry. Juggling all these commitments felt like an insurmountable task, and at times I struggled, “Can I really do this? I don’t think I’ve got what it takes.”

Then I felt God saying the same thing to me, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”

It was an assurance like no other. I knew that on my own I was truly unable to make it through this new season of life. I only pulled through because of God’s presence and promise to me.

And so I decided to put that into a song. I wanted to build my own “altar” unto God, to remember how He revealed Himself to me. I also wanted to encourage the body of Christ.

As we go through new seasons in life, as we struggle with feeling inadequate, let’s be reminded of God’s promise. Like Joshua, let’s find courage and strength in God.

Joshua and Moses’ God is the same God we serve. He will always be with us. He will never fail us.


“You Never Fail” is a single from Clement’s 2017 album, Draw Near. Check it out here.