How great the chasm
That lay between us.
How high the mountain
I could not climb.
In desparation I turned to heaven
And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness
Your loving kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished the end is written
Jesus Christ my living hope
Who could imagine so great a mercy
What heart could fathom such boundless grace
The God of ages stepped down from glory
To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken I am forgiven
The king of Kings calls me His own
Beautiful Savior I'm Yours forever
Jesus Christ my living hope
Hallelujah praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah death has lost it's grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ my living hope
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence the roaring lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
(repeat)
Jesus Yours is the victory
Hallelujah praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah death has lost it's grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ my living hope
Living Hope Video
Living Hope Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Living Hope: A Song of Redemption and Assurance
Introduction:
The song "Living Hope" by Austin Stone Worship has touched the hearts of countless believers around the world with its powerful lyrics and captivating melody. This blog post will delve into the main key messages of the song and explore its profound meaning. Furthermore, we will critically analyze the song's biblical accuracy, providing references to support our arguments.
I. The Great Chasm and Desperation
The opening lines of "Living Hope" paint a vivid picture of the deep chasm that separates humanity from God. The songwriter acknowledges the insurmountable mountain of sin that we, as humans, could never climb on our own. This realization leads to a sense of desperation, as we come face to face with our own helplessness and need for a Savior.
II. Turning to Heaven
In this section, the songwriter describes the pivotal moment when they turn to heaven and call upon the name of Jesus. This act of surrender and reaching out to God in prayer is a powerful reminder of our dependence on Him. It acknowledges that only through His intervention can we find true redemption and restoration.
III. God's Loving Kindness
The subsequent lines of the song beautifully capture the depth of God's love and mercy. Even in the darkness of our sins and despair, His loving kindness pierces through, bringing light and hope. This portrayal of God's unwavering love and grace is a powerful reminder of His faithfulness and the lengths He would go to reconcile us to Himself.
IV. The Finished Work of the Cross
The songwriter declares that the work of salvation is finished and the end has been written. This refers to the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, where He bore our sins and provided a way for us to be reconciled with God. The mention of the cross emphasizes the centrality of Christ's sacrifice and the significance of His resurrection in securing our eternal hope.
V. Jesus Christ, Our Living Hope
The chorus of the song proclaims Jesus Christ as our living hope. It highlights the incomprehensible mercy and boundless grace found in Him. The lyrics exclaim that there is salvation in His name and that He is the one who sets us free. This section of the song beautifully expresses the foundational truth of the Christian faith – that Jesus is the source of our hope and the one who brings freedom from sin and death.
VI. The God of Great Mercy
In this part of the song, the songwriter reflects on the magnitude of God's mercy, which surpasses human understanding. The lyrics pose a rhetorical question, asking who could imagine such great mercy or fathom the depths of God's grace. This section serves as a reminder of the infinite love and compassion of our Heavenly Father.
VII. The Incarnation of God
The songwriter goes on to proclaim the awe-inspiring truth that the God of ages stepped down from glory to wear our sin and bear our shame. This line alludes to the incarnation of Jesus, where God took on human flesh and dwelt among us. It emphasizes the humility and sacrificial love demonstrated by Christ, who willingly took upon Himself the weight of our sins.
VIII. The Cross and Forgiveness
The cross is then mentioned again, symbolizing the place where forgiveness is found. The songwriter declares that the cross has spoken and that they have been forgiven through the finished work of Jesus. This line highlights the importance of the cross as the means by which we are reconciled to God, as Jesus paid the price for our sins.
IX. The King of Kings and Beautiful Savior
In this section, the songwriter acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings and claims Him as their own. This declaration of ownership and allegiance to Christ is a powerful affirmation of faith. Furthermore, Jesus is described as a beautiful Savior, capturing the awe and admiration the songwriter has for Him.
X. Breaking Chains and Salvation
The chorus is repeated, focusing on the victory and freedom found in Jesus. The lyrics proclaim that every chain has been broken and that there is salvation in His name. This section echoes the biblical truth that through faith in Christ, we are set free from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 6:18).
XI. The Resurrection and Victory
The song culminates in a powerful declaration of the resurrection of Jesus. The songwriter proclaims that on the morning of His resurrection, the promise of redemption was sealed. The mention of the roaring lion signifies Jesus' victory over death and the triumph of His resurrection. This section serves as a reminder that because of His resurrection, we can have hope and assurance of eternal life.
Biblical Analysis:
"Living Hope" is deeply rooted in biblical truths and accurately reflects the core tenets of the Christian faith. The song draws heavily from the biblical narrative of redemption, emphasizing the need for a Savior, the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the hope found in His resurrection.
The songwriter acknowledges the great chasm between humanity and God, which aligns with the biblical teaching that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). They also highlight the need for a Savior, acknowledging that no human effort can bridge the gap between us and God.
Furthermore, the song emphasizes the finished work of Christ on the cross, proclaiming that the work of salvation is complete. This aligns with the biblical teaching that through Jesus' sacrifice, we have been justified and reconciled to God (Romans 5:9, Colossians 1:20-22).
The song also celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, declaring Him as our living hope. This echoes the biblical truth that because Christ was raised from the dead, we have hope in our own resurrection and eternal life with Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Overall, "Living Hope" resonates with biblical themes of redemption, grace, and the hope found in Christ alone. Its lyrics beautifully capture the essence of the gospel message and serve as a powerful reminder of the foundational truths of the Christian faith.
Conclusion:
"Living Hope" by Austin Stone Worship is a profound song that encapsulates the core messages of the Christian faith. Its lyrics chronologically depict the journey from despair and separation from God to redemption and hope found in Jesus Christ. The song's biblical accuracy is evident through its alignment with key doctrines such as the need for a Savior, the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the hope of resurrection. Through its poignant lyrics and captivating melody, "Living Hope" continues to inspire believers worldwide, reminding them of the depths of God's love and the assurance of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
