Gospel Song Story

Gospel Song Story - The Lighthouse (Jesus is the Lighthouse)

Words and Music by Robbie Hinson © 1971

There's a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea.

When I'm tossed it sends out a light that I might see.

And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home,

If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

Chorus And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.

Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin,

He has shone the light around me, so that I might clearly see.

If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?

Everyone that lives around us, says tear that old lighthouse down,

The big ships don't sail this way anymore, ain't no use in it standing round.

But then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light

With the light from that old lighthouse, that stands there on the hill.

Repeat Chorus

The Scripture, which is the inspiration for this song is: Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 (NLT)

I don’t know if Elvis ever sang this on stage, but it is wonderful to watch him singing it in an impromptu session with the Stamps and others of his entourage. I think it is in a hotel lobby, in the film Elvis On Tour and also in Bill Gaither’s video He Touched Me – The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley. It is clear that Elvis really appreciates having seen the light and that Jesus is always there to protect him. We may ask why then did Elvis suffer so much? My belief is that sometimes we suffer because we live in a fallen world and are often victims of the evil which surrounds us, but also we can cause our own suffering by not staying under God’s protection. It is called sin. Elvis knew and loved the Lord and was grateful that the light of Jesus had often saved him from “many dangers toils and snares”. He was also aware that he sometimes strayed from the path of righteousness and stumbled, because of his own wrong choices. My prayer is that each one of us will always have our eyes open to see that wonderful light of Jesus, which not only warns us of danger, but also leads us into life everlasting where there is no darkness and the light is so brilliant and beautiful. Madeleine Wilson