“Stay Strong” by Danny Gokey

Danny Gokey is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, and storyteller with chart-topping hits “Hope in Front of Me,” “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” “If You Ain’t In It,” “Wanted,” “Love God Love People,” “Haven’t Seen it Yet” and “Live Up To Your Name.”

My wife and I watched the American Idol season featuring Danny, and we immediately connected to his story. Danny lost his first wife in a fatal car accident. The unexpected incident left him grappling with emptiness.

But Danny embarked on a healing journey, seeking to overcome his sorrow and navigate the changed world ahead. We could see that the only way he could get through that ordeal after losing his first wife was to have hope in God to reveal His plans.

Waiting on the Lord is a theme on all of Danny’s albums. His faithfulness and commitment to writing and singing songs based on his experiences make him one of Christian music’s most relatable artists.

With his recent album, Jesus People, Danny opens his heart more than ever. The album’s tracks convey that even in tough times and what the world perceives as failure, one should remember that God’s promises never fail.

The songs are a welcome companion in quiet reflection and prayer. Danny’s poignant songwriting is coupled with his vulnerability, as each song urges the listener to pray with him. Jesus People connects with listeners who like sincere and catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God. The list includes the standout songs “He Believes in You,” “We All Need Jesus,” “Stay Strong,” and “Stand in Faith.”

I spoke with Danny before his concert in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, about his song “Stay Strong.” The song is about how he has learned to trust in a God who wastes nothing.

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

It’s one thing to know that God is going to come through. It’s another to endure amid the struggle. The lyrics are rooted in how I’ve learned to trust that we serve a God who wastes nothing.

The prophets of the Old Testament shared a metaphor for how people related to God. In this image, He functioned as the potter and people as the clay, being fashioned and formed by the hand of God. As He is fashioning us like a potter would clay, we can struggle with resisting His hand or not understanding the purpose for which He is forming us. Being formed by God is not easy or comfortable.

Every great potter, however, redeems and reuses clay. It is well-spent unless a piece has gone into the oven’s fire. That’s how He works. Even what’s in our past and present that seem throwaway and worthless are not perceived that way by God.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT): “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Psalm 46:1 (NIV): “The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.”

Psalm 145:13 (NIV): “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.”

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:28 (NIV): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV): “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Psalm 9:10 (NKJV): “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

What is the takeaway message?

We prayed for healing for my first wife, and then it didn’t happen the way we felt it should have. We thought God would heal her; we had Scriptures to follow. “Stay Strong” is about what happens when our faith isn’t answered the way we thought God said it would be answered.

No matter where you are today, and even if you never see the answer you want, this song reminds you to stay strong, hold onto your faith, and never stop believing that God will work everything out for good. If you’ve ever prayed for a miracle and not seen the promise or received the answer you wanted, this song is for you.

Lyrics

I’ve been waitin’ for breakthrough; I’ve been prayin’ for change
I know You’ll work it all for good, but how long will it take?
I’ve been asking for healing, and I’m not gonna lie
I’m ready for the miracle, God, let it be this time

But if I never see the promise on this side of the grave
My hope might be shaken, but my faith will never break
Because I know the day is coming when You’ll right all of the wrong
So, I’ll praise You in the waiting, and my faith will stay strong

God, You taught me to trust You; you showed me how to believe
You’re the author and the finisher of what You start in me
So, I’m not gonna doubt it; I’m gonna hold onto peace
‘Cause if I have You and nothing else, I still have everything

‘Cause if I never see the promise on this side of the grave
My hope might be shaken, but my faith will never break
Because I know the day is coming when You’ll right all of the wrong
So, I’ll praise You in the waiting, and my faith will stay strong

I’ll count it joy when I am tested
‘Cause You bring beauty from my pain, it’s never wasted

But if I never see the promise on this side of the grave
My hope might be shaken, but my faith will never break
Because I know the day is coming when You’ll right all of the wrong
So, I’ll praise You in the waiting, and my faith will stay strong
Because I know the day is coming when You’ll right all of the wrong
So, I’ll praise You in the waiting, and my faith will stay strong
Will stay strong

Closing Thoughts

Musically, this song has a hopeful feel to it. Putting all our faith and hope in Jesus gives us hope, for hope is the key. We also know from God’s Word that we will go through trials. Those moments are meant to remind us not to trust in ourselves but in Him. This song strikes me profoundly and convicting with the truth of how God calls all of us to “walk by faith, and not by sight.”

Like Danny, I’m clinging to The Bible’s promise in Romans 8:28 (NIV): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

As followers of Jesus, we know we can trust God’s Word. We’re all a work in progress. So, have faith and let Him work all things together for good. Spend time with Him, and let Him redeem and restore you.

We’re not at the end of our story. God’s still writing our stories of redemption. He wants us to know that He’s faithful to complete what He’s started in all of us who’ve put our hope and trust in Jesus for our salvation.

My favorite songs are based on the joy and themes of trusting in God from the Psalms and Proverbs. So many people struggle to apply His Word to their lives. If we learn to build our lives on Scripture, we will all have a rock as our foundation in navigating our lives.

Whether you’re reeling from grief, feeling stuck in the middle of a valley, or on the other side of a crisis, the words “Stay Strong” encourage us to turn to our Savior who is “acquainted with grief” and who enables us to “take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

“Stay Strong” gives me more conviction not to feel worthless or afraid. We spend a lot of time worrying in many areas of our lives. We need to let that go and let the Lord be our Redeemer. This song reminds me that we need to have that type of faith that Jesus describes in the Bible: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

This song is sung by a friend who has stood in the valley and invites us to sing these powerful words together: “But if I never see the promise on this side of the grave/My hope might be shaken, but my faith will never break/Because I know the day is coming when You’ll right all of the wrong/So, I’ll praise You in the waiting and my faith will stay strong.” Amen to that.