Our Light, Our Strength, Our Song

The Story Behind the Song

In Christ Alone was written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, who met at a Christian music conference and agreed to collaborate. Keith sent Stuart a composition and asked him to write lyrics for the tune. Stuart was struck by the grandeur of the melody and felt compelled to write words that expressed Jesus' majesty.

The lyrics were deeply personal for Stuart, who struggled to find his purpose until he experienced the renewing power of Jesus. When he writes, "In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song," the line is biblical, true, and born from his own story.

A Firm Foundation for Marriage

In our marriages, when Jesus is our hope, light, strength, and song, our love is built on a firm foundation. Together, in Christ, we weather the fiercest droughts of happiness and storms of adversity, because Jesus fills us with love's highest aims and depth of trust. No matter our circumstances, we know the foundation of Jesus' love is our reality and the base of our lives.

When have you experienced Jesus' hope, light, and strength in times of difficult circumstances?

Restoration Through the Cross

When we make mistakes and sin, we know we have a way to resolution and reconciliation. We remember Jesus restored us to God when He came to us and died for us while we were helpless (Romans 5:6–8). Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection changed the course of humanity, our lives, and our marriages. Jesus commanded us to love one another as Jesus loves us (John 15:12).

In times of brokenness, we remember Jesus' brokenness and His sacrificial, healing love. We draw from the power of Jesus' love, finding restoration, hope, and life. Indeed, "Here in the death of Christ we live, we live."

When have you found life as a couple through Jesus' sacrificial and healing love?

An Eternal Purpose in the Everyday

The destiny of our lives and marriages are not controlled by "the power of hell" or "scheme of man." Jesus controls our destiny in the present and for eternity. The ordinariness of mundane daily life may, at times, lack a sense of grandeur. Yet the moving composition by Keith Getty and the powerful words of Stuart Townend remind us that Jesus' eternal purpose happens right here and now.

Each act of love, kindness, and grace in our marriages is a step on the path to eternity. When we stand in the power of Christ alone, we join with Jesus' grand and eternal story.

What are ways, as a couple, you express and experience Jesus' love? How have others experienced Jesus' eternal light through your couple love?

Lyrics

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand