Lyrical Theology: In Christ Alone (Part 1)
In Christ Alone – Newsboys (see full lyrics here)
In Christ alone, my hope is found! He is my light, my strength, my song.
I’m convinced that everyone is searching for hope. Some actively seek it while others may not even realize what they are chasing, but every person desires something to cling to, the promise of a brighter tomorrow, the chance that one day things can be better. We all want hope. The problem is that we often go to the wrong places to find it. We put our hope in money, trusting that our finances will secure us a life that is comfortable and happy. We put our hope in love, believing that having someone to complete us will make our soul satisfied. We put our hope in power, thinking that we can somehow control the outcome of our lives. We hope in health, beauty, friendship, success, positive thinking, the human spirit, and even the government. Unfortunately, placing our hope in the wrong places always leaves us feeling empty and wanting more.
Often people are holding on to hope without having any real reason for doing so. We have “hope” for a better tomorrow, but based on what? Wishful thinking? Or is there a tangible reason that things stand a chance of improving? This is one thing I love about being a Christian. The hope we have in Jesus Christ is real hope. It is not some foggy concept that I naively cling to. Rather, knowing that Jesus is a real person with the power to make things better and the desire to do so, this gives me hope! By raising himself from death and promising the same to those who follow him, Christ offers a hope that we can hold fast to. His claims have been proven, his power has been demonstrated, and therefore his promises will be fulfilled.
What do you place you hope in? Is it in someone or something that offers a false hope, merely a shadow that looks real but can’t be grasped? Do your hopes have a legitimate chance of being realized and being sustained forever? Or are they empty promises of fleeting satisfaction? I would urge you to place your hope in Christ, as he alone holds the power over the future, and he promises a future that is bright for those who love him.
No wonder that for the believer Jesus is their light, their strength, their song! These words echo the truths of Scripture in a beautiful way.
- He is my light. Jesus said in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Like a light in darkness Jesus helps us see clearly. He helps us to navigate the treacherous paths of life without stumbling. His light removes fear and brings life.
- He is my strength. Paul, the great church missionary, understood this when he said “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Even though he faced constant opposition, enough to make any man quit, Paul was strengthened by Jesus to continue his mission through to completion. We, too, often feel overwhelmed by the trials of life. Our strength fails us and our energy is depleted, but in Christ we have an inexhaustible source of supernatural strength.
- He is my song. When God rescued the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians, the whole nation burst into joyous song, singing “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him…” (Exodus 15:2). The sure hope that is found in Jesus can quiet our restless souls and bring peace and joy that leads to singing! To worship the Lord in song is a wonderful priveledge and the fruit of a heart that has experienced Jesus’ saving grace.
Only in Christ – our all-sufficient, loving, and powerful Redeemer – can we truly find hope. A hope that lasts. A hope that has a sure foundation. A hope that is sure to be fulfilled.
Canadian Bible Guy 
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