Cover artwork for In The Lord
Grace & Salvation

In The Lord

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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Lyrics

**Verse 1** In the darkness—there is only absence of light— In the sadness—there is only absence of cheer— In the loneliness—there is only absence of someone being near— And in our weakness—there is only—the absence of strength and might. **Verse 2** And in our guilt—there is only the absence of mercy— And in our captivity—there is only the absence of being set free— And in our pain—there is only the absence of relief— And in our doubts—there is only the absence of belief— And in our lostness—there is only the absence of being found— And in our hopelessness—there is only the absence of hope that does abound And in our blindness—there is only the absence of being made to see And in our need for salvation—there is only the absence of a Savior—ready to save—you and me. **Chorus** And that is why—in the Lord—there is great and perfect light— In the Lord—He wipes away every tear— And with the Lord—we have a faithful companion—who always draws near— And only the Lord—is full of wisdom, power and great might! **Verse 2** And Jesus—He is full of mercy and grace— And Jesus came—to set us free—to run our race— And with Jesus—from every sorrow and pain—we find in Him—the greatest physician in chief— And with only a grain of faith—He erases our doubts and fears—and makes good on simple trust and belief. And with Jesus—the lost are found— and hope does abound— When the blind in spirit and truth— are made to see— Through salvation He freely gives to you and me. **Bridge** Soooo—come now—just as you are— Come to Jesus—from near or far— Come find in Jesus what you’ve never found in anyone or any other place— Come to Jesus—He is full of mercy and grace! Come to Jesus—He does still save sinners today—for salvation through Jesus—is still the only way! **Chorus** And that is why—in the Lord—there is great and perfect light— In the Lord—He wipes away every tear— And with the Lord—we have a faithful companion—who always draws near— And only the Lord—is full of wisdom, power and great might! And with the Lord—His salvation all can afford— Open the eyes of your heart—and you will see! **Tag** Ohhhh—come to Jesus—He wants to be the light of your way— Come to Jesus—He will save you—right now—even today. Come to Jesus—be forgiven of your sin— Come to Jesus—He would have still died—even and only just for you— Come to Jesus—His promises and word are still true! Come to Jesus—come to Jesus and He will surely save you!
Ministry Devotional

In The Lord

Lyric note: Archive page showed the wrong lyrics (Have You Ever Changed Your Name?); correct lyrics supplied by owner.

Read together: Isaiah 9:2; Luke 4:16–21; Ephesians 2:11–13; Matthew 9:10–13; Matthew 17:20; Ephesians 1:17–19

What is darkness? It isn't really a thing. It is simply the absence of light. This song builds on that insight, line after line. In the darkness there is only the absence of light. In sadness, the absence of cheer. In loneliness, the absence of someone near. In guilt, the absence of mercy. In captivity, the absence of freedom. In blindness, the absence of sight. And in our need for salvation, the absence of a Savior ready to save.

That is an honest description of life without God. It is not that people outside of Christ have nothing at all. It is that something essential is missing. Read Ephesians 2:11–13. Paul reminds believers that they were once "without Christ… without hope and without God in the world." But then comes the turn: "Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

The chorus makes that same turn. And that is why in the Lord there is great and perfect light. Every absence named in the verses is answered in Him. Read Isaiah 9:2. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." Matthew tells us that prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus began His ministry. Light does not argue with darkness. It simply shows up, and darkness gives way.

Read Luke 4:16–21. In His hometown synagogue, Jesus stood and read from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then He sat down and said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Read the song's list again. Captivity, blindness, oppression, hopelessness. Jesus came for exactly those things.

The third verse calls Jesus the greatest physician in chief. Read Matthew 9:10–13. When religious leaders criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, He answered, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." If you feel like your life is defined by what is missing, you are exactly the kind of person Jesus came for.

The song also says that with only a grain of faith He erases our doubts and fears. Read Matthew 17:20. Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. The power is not in the size of our faith but in the greatness of the One we trust. A tiny seed of trust placed in Jesus is enough to begin.

The final chorus adds a simple invitation: Open the eyes of your heart, and you will see. That phrase comes from Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:17–19, that God would enlighten the eyes of our hearts so we would know the hope of His calling and His great power toward us who believe. Seeing Jesus truly is a gift God gives.

The bridge and tag are an altar call. Come now, just as you are… Come find in Jesus what you've never found in anyone or any other place. Whatever absence you feel today—light, joy, companionship, mercy, freedom, hope—it is found in the Lord. And the tag holds one of the most personal lines in this collection: He would have still died even and only just for you.

A moment to respond: Read the song's list of absences and circle the one that describes you most today. Then read Luke 4:18–19 and find where Jesus speaks to that very need. Bring it to Him in prayer, even with faith as small as a mustard seed.

Let's pray: Lord Jesus, without You there is only darkness, guilt, captivity, and hopelessness. In You there is light, mercy, freedom, and hope. Thank You for coming to proclaim good news to the poor and sight to the blind. Be the physician for our wounded hearts. Open the eyes of our hearts to see You. For anyone who has never come, draw them to come just as they are. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that whatever is missing in your life, you would find it in the Lord—the light who fills every empty place.