Anthem Lights - Selah Medley: In The Sweet By and By / Unbreakable / Broken Ladders / I Got Saved Lyrics
Lyrics
There's a land that is fairer than day
And by faith we can see it afar
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us, a dwelling place there
When you're a prisoner of hope
There's a fire in your bones
And what I love about it most
Is it don't matter where you go
Yeah, we may make a wrong turn
We may stumble or get burned
We may miss the perfect mark
But the very best part is...
All You ever wanted was my heart
My heart, my simple heart
To You that's all that really matters
Why do I feel I have to reach
Believe I have to rise
When You never said I had to climb
These broken ladders
I'm undone by the mercy of Jesus
I'm undone by the goodness of the Lord
I'm restored and made right
He got a hold of my life
I've got Jesus
How could I want more
I've received nothing but goodness
I've tested and tasted Your grace
I was so lost
'Til I fell at the cross
And got saved
I got saved
Your Love's unbreakable, unmovable
You'll never turn Your back on us
Your heart's unchangeable, unshakable
Living water that will never dry up
Oh Your Love, oh Your Love, oh Your Love is unbreakable
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
Video
Selah Medley | Anthem Lights
Meaning & Inspiration
Anthem Lights’ 2017 release, "Selah Medley: In The Sweet By and By / Unbreakable / Broken Ladders / I Got Saved," is a masterful weaving of familiar hymns and contemporary reflections, creating a powerful devotional experience. The medley’s genesis, while not explicitly detailed, seems rooted in a desire to bridge generational understanding of faith, bringing timeless truths to a modern context. The very structure of a medley suggests a deliberate curation of themes, moving from the promise of eternal rest to the grounded reality of God’s unwavering love and personal salvation.
The "Selah" in the title, a Hebrew word often found in the Psalms indicating a pause for reflection, is a fitting descriptor for the song's contemplative yet ultimately triumphant message. The medley opens with a nod to the enduring hope found in "In the Sweet By and By," echoing the profound assurance of a heavenly dwelling place prepared by God, a theme deeply resonant with passages like John 14:2-3 where Jesus promises to prepare a place for his followers. This foundational hope is then juxtaposed with the raw vulnerability expressed in the subsequent sections, acknowledging the human struggle and imperfection. The line, "we may make a wrong turn, we may stumble or get burned," speaks to the reality of sin and fallibility, a truth underscored by scriptures such as Romans 3:23, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. However, this acknowledgment of our brokenness is not a point of despair but a prelude to the stunning revelation of God’s grace.
The transition to "Broken Ladders" offers a profound insight into the nature of God’s love and our relationship with Him. The lyrics question the need for human striving and self-sufficiency, recognizing that God’s desire is not for our perfect performance but for our genuine devotion. The central declaration, "All You ever wanted was my heart," encapsulates a core biblical principle found in verses like 1 Samuel 16:7, which reminds us that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances. The metaphor of "broken ladders" powerfully illustrates that our attempts to earn or achieve salvation through our own efforts are ultimately futile. Instead, true reconciliation comes through accepting His unmerited favor, a concept central to the message of Ephesians 2:8-9, stating that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
The medley culminates in the joyous testimony of being "I Got Saved" and the unwavering declaration of "Unbreakable" love. The personal account of being lost and then found, of falling at the cross, directly reflects the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice as described throughout the Gospels and in Acts 4:12, where salvation is found in no one else. The affirmation that God's love is "unbreakable, unmovable, unchangeable, unshakable" is a powerful echo of biblical attributes of God, as seen in Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." This assurance of God's steadfast love provides an unshakeable foundation for believers, a living water that will never run dry, as promised by Jesus in John 4:14. "Selah Medley" is more than just a collection of songs; it is a theological journey that moves from heavenly hope to earthly struggle, ultimately settling in the secure and eternal embrace of God’s unbreakable love.