Believin Stephen - Promised Land Lyrics
Lyrics
First Verse
I know that God is sovereign, I don't need to be in control
I read and see in His scrolls, He's bringing peace to my soul
He rules and reigns over everything, He's keeping me till I'm old
I went astray but now I'm saved, was incomplete but now whole
False teachers in these pulpits, can't believe all that you are told
I'm not seeking after that gold, they misleadin people they fools
Being selfish is the norm, man I fell again into porn
Conviction pierced my heart it started to melt like when it gets warm
God knows me plus He chose me, yea it was well before I was born
I run to Him, my covering, (He's) my shelter up in the storm
I suppose everyone knows, that lust and pride are not right
So how does dirty sinful man get justified in God's sight?
Tryin by works will drive ya bezerk, cause ya sin remains
Only by grace through faith is how salvation is obtained
God must punish sin, that's why Christ on the cross did hang
Took the wrath that we deserve, (suffered)much affliction and pain
Hook feat. Amber Anderson (written by Tragic Hero)
I'm going to the promised land
I don't even know how I got another chance
All I know is I've been running from the start
You're the One I follow
Going through some harder days
I don't know about tomorrow
But I'm going to the promised land
I don't even know how I got another chance
In the end it might be no one (else)
But my life keeps going, my life keeps going.
Second Verse
I am slipping yet again, feel conviction from the sin
I'm still pickin up my pen to write, I'm spittin and Christian
I'm like will it ever end? Getting sick of affliction
This fight of faith is similar to lifting in the gym
You set your goals, you wanna get swole, and now you hype to go lift
You feel so ready, but the weight feels heavy, and then you feel like you should go quit
If you get through the pain, you'll know you'll see gains, if you fight just a bit
Believe me it won't be easy, but if you pay the price you will get
Results in the end, not from following trends, but by going hard in the gym
You're stronger than when you started, all of your friends, you're more brolic than them
You coulda sat on the couch but you lifted weights instead
The last few reps of you're last set made your face turn red
I know trials make us stronger even though we hate the trauma
God's timing's always perfect, even if it takes us longer
When you make it through the drama it increases faith and honor
So when snakes will come to harm ya, it's harder to break your armor
Hook feat. Amber Anderson (written by Tragic Hero)
I'm going to the promised land
I don't even know how I got another chance
All I know is I've been running from the start
You're the One I follow
Going through some harder days
I don't know about tomorrow
But I'm going to the promised land
I don't even know how I got another chance
In the end it might be no one (else)
But my life keeps going, my life keeps going.
Third Verse
Many times things don't happen the way you thought it would go
It feels awful man I know, but these trials cause us to grow
Stop and pray for sure (sho), but sometimes the Father says No!
You'll see Christ's footprints next to you if you walk in the snow
No you're not alone, not even if He seems distant
God's making us grow, by increasing the resistance
Simply trust His word, don't need to speak it to existence
I'm needing some assistance, on my knees with much persistence (praying)
I know that God loves me but do I believe in Him this instant?
It's one thing to say it's another to live it, he's teaching me the difference
Before I condemn, must look in the mirror, I'm shook with this fear, it's pushing me near
The edge of my chair, it took me some years, to see that He cares, in the book it is clear
I'm battling unbelief plus I keep on fighting the doubt
God's answered me so many times, man I'm trying to count
It 's a frightening amount, how could I deny the account?
Of Christ? He gave me life, so He's who I'm rhyming about!!!
Sermon Clips from Pastor Curtis Dunlap of Epiphany Fellowship
The end goal wasn't the land itself. The end goal was the type of people God wanted them to be when they got to the land. And so there was a purposefulness with which God moved them through the wilderness. God had to take that time of isolation, and wandering to make them a holy people.
The end goal was the type of people God wanted them to be when they got to the land _ 18:40-19:20
Video
Promised Land (feat. Amber Anderson)
Meaning & Inspiration
Believin Stephen’s “Promised Land,” released on July 15, 2014, as part of his album *Battling Unbelief*, offers a profound spiritual reflection that transcends typical hip-hop narratives, delving deeply into the complexities of faith, sin, and redemption. The song immediately establishes itself as a candid confession and a declaration of unwavering trust in divine sovereignty, navigating the personal struggles of a believer while anchoring itself firmly in biblical truths. It lays bare the artist’s own shortcomings and the universal human condition of imperfection, making a powerful statement about God’s unfailing grace in the midst of spiritual warfare.
The narrative unfolds with an immediate acknowledgment of God’s absolute control, a foundational truth for the believer seeking peace amidst life’s chaos, as mirrored in passages like Psalm 103:19 which declares God’s kingdom rules over all. Stephen contrasts this divine order with the instability of false teachings and the allure of worldly gain, drawing a clear line between genuine faith and misguided pursuits, echoing the warnings in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 about itching ears turning away from truth. The raw honesty in his admission of falling back into sin, specifically pornography, is striking. This vulnerability is not for shock value but serves as a powerful testament to the piercing conviction of the Holy Spirit, which, like a warmth melting a hardened heart, initiates repentance. This experience is a direct fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, reminding us that He chose us before birth (Ephesians 1:4) and acts as our refuge during life’s storms, a promise found in Psalm 46:1. The central theological question—how a sinful person can be justified before a holy God—is then answered definitively: not through self-effort or works, which merely expose sin’s persistence, but solely by grace through faith, a core tenet of salvation illuminated in Ephesians 2:8-9. The necessity of Christ’s suffering on the cross to bear the wrath for sin is presented as the ultimate act of divine justice and love, perfectly aligning with Romans 5:8 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.
The recurring hook, featuring Amber Anderson, serves as a poignant, yearning prayer and declaration, embodying the pilgrim’s journey toward the “Promised Land.” This promised land is not merely a physical destination but a profound spiritual state—heaven, peace with God, or a life lived in holiness. The sentiment “I don’t even know how I got another chance” encapsulates the wonder and humility born from experiencing unmerited favor, a pure expression of gratitude for God’s mercy. The phrase “running from the start” vividly portrays a lifelong pursuit of Christ, who is explicitly named as “the One I follow,” resonating with the call to discipleship found in Matthew 16:24. The acknowledgment of “harder days” and the uncertainty of “tomorrow” speaks to the human experience of trials, yet it is overcome by the unwavering commitment to the ultimate destination and the faithful pursuit of God, even when walking alone.
The second verse employs an ingenious extended metaphor of physical training in a gym to illustrate the spiritual discipline required in the “fight of faith.” Just as setting goals, pushing through pain, and enduring resistance in weightlifting leads to physical gains, so too does perseverance in faith cultivate spiritual strength. This analogy vividly portrays the Christian walk as an active, challenging endeavor, not a passive one, much like the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to “fight the good fight of faith” in 1 Timothy 6:12. The temptation to quit when the “weight feels heavy” is a relatable moment for anyone facing spiritual weariness. However, the promise of “gains” through enduring pain and paying the price is a powerful encouragement, reflecting the truth that trials, though difficult, produce endurance, character, and hope, as outlined in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4. The imagery of increased “armor” against “snakes” (temptation or evil forces) directly echoes Ephesians 6:11-18, emphasizing that enduring trials strengthens one’s spiritual defenses, making them more resilient against future attacks.
The final verse delves deeper into the internal battles of a believer, particularly the struggle with unbelief and doubt. It acknowledges the painful reality that God’s plans often diverge from human expectations, yet these moments are precisely when spiritual growth occurs. This aligns with Proverbs 19:21, reminding us that while humans devise plans, the Lord’s counsel prevails. The powerful image of Christ’s footprints beside us in the snow offers comfort, assuring us that we are never alone, even when God seems distant, a truth echoed in Hebrews 13:5. The lyric “God’s making us grow, by increasing the resistance” beautifully connects back to the gym metaphor, showing that spiritual development requires overcoming challenges. The emphasis on trusting God’s word and persistent prayer, rather than relying on self-created realities, highlights the importance of humility and reliance on God’s revealed truth, a practice encouraged in Philippians 4:6-7. The struggle to reconcile intellectual knowledge of God’s love with present belief is a deeply human one, showing the difference between mere assent and lived faith. His admission of needing to look in the mirror before condemning others reflects the wisdom of Matthew 7:3-5. Ultimately, despite the relentless fight against doubt, the countless instances of God’s faithfulness—too numerous to count—lead to an undeniable conclusion: Christ gave him life, and thus, He is the sole subject of his praises and rhymes.
The sermon clips from Pastor Curtis Dunlap of Epiphany Fellowship powerfully synthesize the song’s overarching message. The true purpose of the journey to the “Promised Land” was never solely the destination itself, but the transformation God intended for His people *during* their wilderness experience. God intentionally used periods of isolation and wandering to forge a holy people, shaping their character and refining their faith. This profound insight recontextualizes Believin Stephen’s personal struggles—his falls into sin, his battles with doubt, the hard days, and the perceived increased resistance—not as setbacks, but as integral parts of God’s purposeful process. These wilderness seasons are precisely where God works to make us the “type of people God wanted them to be when they got to the land,” a people purified, strengthened, and wholly dependent on Him. "Promised Land" is not just a song; it's a testament to the ongoing, often difficult, yet ultimately glorious process of sanctification, firmly rooted in God’s sovereignty and grace. It serves as an inspiring anthem for anyone navigating the wilderness of life, assuring them that every struggle is part of a divine plan to transform them into His likeness, preparing them for an eternal home.