Zach Williams - Rescue Story Lyrics
Lyrics
There I was empty-handed
Crying out from the pit of my despair
There You were in the shadows
Holding out Your hand You met me there
And now where would I be without You?
Where would I be, Jesus?
You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story
You are, You are
You are my rescue story
You are, You are
You were writing the pages
Before I had a name
Before I needed grace, oh
Singing songs of redemption
'Cause every time I ran away
You were louder than my shame
And now where would I be without You?
Where would I be, Jesus?
You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story
You never gave up on me
You never gave up on me
You are my testimony, ooh...
You never gave up on me
You never gave up on me
You are my testimony, ooh...
You never gave up on me
Oh, You never gave up on me
Oh, this is my testimony
Oh, You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
'Cause You are my rescue story
You are, You are (You are my rescue story)
Oh, You never gave up on me, never gave up on me
You are, You are
Yeah, You are my rescue story
Video
Zach Williams - Rescue Story - Red Rocks Amphitheatre Official Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Zach Williams' "Rescue Story," released in 2019 as the title track of his album, is a powerful declaration of divine intervention and redemption. The song delves deep into the personal experience of finding salvation, portraying a journey from utter despair to profound gratitude. Williams articulates a narrative where he, standing empty-handed and crying out from a pit of despair, encounters a merciful God who reaches out from the shadows. This imagery resonates with the biblical account of God's unfailing love and willingness to seek us out even in our darkest moments, echoing verses like Psalm 139:7-10, which speaks of God's omnipresence, leaving no shadow where His presence cannot reach. The central question, "And now where would I be without You?" is a direct acknowledgment of dependence on Jesus, a sentiment found throughout Scripture, particularly in passages where disciples express their reliance on Christ's guidance and power, such as in John 15:5 where Jesus declares, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
The song beautifully frames God as the persistent voice in the wilderness, a reference that directly calls to mind John the Baptist's ministry preparing the way for Jesus, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'" Williams describes God fighting his battles and being his "rescue story," a profound statement of God's active involvement in the lives of believers, ensuring victory not through our own strength but His. This aligns with Deuteronomy 3:22, where Joshua encourages the Israelites: "Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you." The imagery of being lifted from ashes and carried from death to life speaks directly to the resurrection power of Christ, a cornerstone of Christian faith. Romans 6:4 captures this transformation perfectly: "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Furthermore, the progression from "glory to glory" suggests a continuous process of spiritual growth and refinement, a theme woven throughout the New Testament, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Williams emphasizes that God was writing his story even before he was aware of his need for grace. The lines "Before I had a name" and "Before I needed grace" point to God's sovereign plan and predestination, a concept explored in Ephesians 1:4-5, which states that God "chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." The understanding that God's love is louder than shame is a vital message for anyone struggling with past mistakes or feelings of unworthiness. This powerfully reflects the unmerotic nature of God's forgiveness, which casts out all condemnation, as evidenced in Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The repeated affirmation, "You never gave up on me," is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and steadfast love, a characteristic that defines His relationship with humanity throughout biblical narrative, including passages like Lamentations 3:22-23, which proclaim, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Ultimately, "Rescue Story" serves not just as a song but as a personal testimony, encouraging listeners to recognize God's redemptive power in their own lives and to embrace the profound truth of His unfailing love and salvation.