Larnelle Harris - Road In The Wilderness Lyrics
Lyrics
With the Red Sea behind them
The desert before them
The children of God had to trust His plan
As they followed and waited
Each day He created
A way that would lead to the promised land
Chorus:
He made a road in the wilderness
As only He could do
He made a road in the wilderness
And the power of Love broke through
A fallen creation
In need of salvation
With no open road to the love they'd lost
The Father who made them
Reached down and forgave them
And opened up a way on a rugged cross
Chorus
Video
Road in the Wilderness
Meaning & Inspiration
Larnelle Harris's enduring song, "Road In The Wilderness," released on January 1, 1983, as part of his album *I've Just Seen Jesus*, stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering ability to create solutions where human understanding sees only impasses. The song immediately immerses the listener in a profound biblical narrative, unfolding a dual story of divine intervention that spans both ancient history and personal salvation.
The initial verses draw directly from the book of Exodus, painting a vivid picture of the Israelites' predicament after their miraculous escape from Egypt. With the formidable Red Sea behind them and the vast, unknown desert stretching before them, the children of God faced an overwhelming challenge, forced to rely entirely on divine guidance. This imagery, where "the desert before them" signifies an impossible barrier, powerfully sets the stage for God's incredible provision. He didn't just lead them; He "made a road in the wilderness," a literal path through an inhospitable landscape, confirming the promise found in Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." This initial narrative highlights God's historical faithfulness and His inherent nature as a Way-Maker, whose power of love breaks through every obstacle. The wilderness wanderings, documented across Numbers and Deuteronomy, underscore the daily miracles of manna, water from rocks, and guidance by cloud and fire, all facets of God's "road" through their impossible journey toward the Promised Land.
The song then masterfully pivots from this historical account to humanity's universal spiritual need, stating, "A fallen creation, In need of salvation, With no open road to the love they'd lost." This verse speaks to the foundational biblical truth of Genesis 3 and Romans 3:23, which declares that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, creating a chasm between humanity and divine love. Just as the Israelites faced a physical wilderness, humanity faces a spiritual wilderness of separation from God. The genius of the song lies in connecting these two seemingly disparate wilderness experiences with the same divine solution. The Father, in His boundless love, "reached down and forgave them, And opened up a way on a rugged cross." This directly references the ultimate act of salvation through Jesus Christ, echoing John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son," and Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The cross, initially a symbol of suffering and death, becomes the very "road" to reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life, a concept reinforced by Hebrews 10:19-20, which speaks of a new and living way opened for us through Christ's blood.
"Road In The Wilderness" is more than a retelling of biblical stories; it's an anthem of hope and an affirmation of God's consistent character across time. It asserts that the same God who led His people through the literal desert of Sinai is the same God who provides the spiritual path to redemption through His Son. The recurring chorus, "He made a road in the wilderness, As only He could do, He made a road in the wilderness, And the power of Love broke through," serves as the anchor, emphasizing that God's actions are uniquely His, driven by an unyielding love that overcomes all barriers. This message powerfully encourages anyone facing a seemingly impossible situation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It reminds us that our "wilderness" —be it a daunting challenge, a period of uncertainty, or a feeling of being lost—is precisely where God specializes in making a way where there appears to be none. He is the ultimate Way-Maker, and His love is the driving force behind every solution, transforming barren landscapes and broken lives into pathways of hope and restoration, just as Jesus declared in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The song's enduring appeal lies in its profound reassurance that with God, no wilderness is too vast, no obstacle too great, and no one is beyond the reach of His transformative, road-making love.