UNRELENTING JESUS
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Cover artwork for Riding The Savior’s Line
Cross & Calvary

Riding The Savior’s Line

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] There’s an old black engine waiting by the river side, Smoke rolling like the questions in a sinner’s mind. Rust on all the rails, cinders failing on the ground, And the Engineer calling, “Sinner, it’s time to turn around.” You’ve been walking a crooked line—ignoring every painted sign, Burning through Saturday night—Trading Sunday morning—for Saturday’s delight. But the boiler’s burnin’ mercy and the ticket’s paid in blood, Hear the whistle in the distance crying through the woods—like a flood. [Chorus] Hear that steam whistle crying through the valley, Jesus at the throttle, pulling hard and steady. Life is like a long, dark line, you gotta choose your train, One runs on glory, one runs on shame. When that rapture horn sounds and the sky turns flame, I’m riding that old line—with my Savior’s name. [Verse 2] I once was standing on the depot floor, Clutching bad decisions—staring at the door. Every sin I ever done—like coal on the pile, Feeding up a hellbound engine down a crooked mile. Then grace came like a lantern—shining on a cold and stormy night, Jesus took control—and set the switches right. Now the rails are lined with promise, and the lines are marked by prayer, And the cross stands like a signal saying, “Son, I’ll get you there.” [Chorus] Hear that steam whistle crying through the valley, Jesus at the throttle, pulling hard and steady. Life is like a long, dark line, you gotta choose your train, One runs on glory, one runs on shame. When that rapture horn sounds and the sky turns flame, I’m riding that old line—with my Savior’s name. [Bridge] There’s a switch yard in the shadows where the heart must decide— You can ride your own desires or let the Savior guide. One track leads to ashes, one track leads to gold, One ends in a graveyard, one in riches untold. When the eastern sky is tearing like a curtain in the wind, And the dead in Christ are rising to go home with Him for eternity without end. You’ll either hear that trumpet as a welcome home refrain, Or the dreadful fading of the whistle of a never returning train. [Tag Chorus - Staccato like a train chugging along] So choose this day which line you ride, Stay in the dark or step on up—by the Savior’s side. The steam’s up hot and the lamp’s a golden glow— Salvation’s train is rolling on—to the only destination where you should go— Hear that steam whistle crying through the valley, Jesus at the throttle, pulling hard and steady. When that rapture horn sounds—and the sky turns flame, I’ll be riding that old line—with my Savior’s name.
Ministry Devotional

Riding The Savior’s Line

Read together: Matthew 7:13–14; Deuteronomy 30:15–20; Proverbs 14:12; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Matthew 24:27–31

There is something about the sound of a train whistle crying through a valley at night. It can feel lonely, or nostalgic, or urgent. This song uses that sound as a call: Hear that steam whistle crying through the valley—Jesus at the throttle, pulling hard and steady. Life is like a long, dark line; you gotta choose your train.

The song's picture is simple and memorable. One runs on glory, one runs on shame. Every life is headed somewhere.

Jesus used a similar picture. Read Matthew 7:13–14. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." There are two ways, two destinations. Neutral ground does not exist.

Long before Jesus, Moses put the choice before Israel. Read Deuteronomy 30:15–20. "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction… Now choose life… by loving the Lord your God, listening to His voice, and holding fast to Him." The song's tag echoes that call: So choose this day which line you ride.

The first verse describes someone walking a crooked line, ignoring every painted sign, burning through Saturday night, trading Sunday morning for Saturday's delight. Read Proverbs 14:12. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." The wrong train often feels exciting at first. It only reveals its destination later.

The second verse is a testimony. I once was standing on the depot floor, clutching bad decisions, staring at the door. Every sin I ever done—like coal on the pile, feeding up a hellbound engine down a crooked mile. Then grace came like a lantern, and Jesus took control and set the switches right.

How do you get a ticket on the Savior's line? The ticket's paid in blood. Read 1 Peter 1:18–19. We were redeemed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot." You cannot buy your way on. The fare has already been paid.

The bridge looks ahead to the day of Christ's return. When the eastern sky is tearing like a curtain in the wind, and the dead in Christ are rising. Read Matthew 24:27–31. Jesus said His coming will be like lightning that flashes from the east to the west, and He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call to gather His people. For those on the Savior's line, that trumpet will be a welcome home refrain. For those who refused His invitation, the song warns of the dreadful fading of the whistle of a never-returning train.

We do not share that warning to frighten anyone for its own sake. We share it because the train is still at the station. The Engineer is still calling, "Sinner, it's time to turn around." The switchyard is where the heart decides. If you are still on the crooked line, step off and step on board with Jesus today.

A moment to respond: Read Deuteronomy 30:19–20. Ask yourself honestly which "line" your life is on—not just what you believe, but where your choices are taking you. If you need to turn around, tell Jesus now. If you are already on His line, pray for someone still standing on the depot floor, and invite them aboard.

Let's pray: Lord Jesus, You are the Engineer calling sinners to turn around. Thank You for paying our fare with Your precious blood. For anyone riding the wrong line, let them hear Your whistle and step on board today. Set the switches right in our lives. Keep us faithful until the trumpet sounds and You bring us home. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that you would choose the Savior's line today—because the ticket is already paid, and the destination is glory.

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