Kingdom in the Streets
When I came to faith in my sophomore year of college, I didn’t realize that God would turn my life upside down…and shake it! But He did!
The following year was transformational for me as I began hanging out with Christian friends, listening to Christian music, and reading Christian books. Ken Medema and Keith Green were my go to musicians to help reshape my mind. The most formative album for me was Kingdom in the Streets by Ken Medema. It rocked my world and seldom soothed my soul.
The title song became my mantra. It spoke to my soul, challenged my faith, and continues to shape my vision for a faith-filled life. I share the lyrics with you now to share my heart and hopefully to shape yours.
Come walk with me in the darkness and as we walk along
I’ll tell you quite a story and I’ll sing you quite a song
I’ll sing of light and darkness, of victory and defeat,
Corruption on the mountain and compassion in the streets.
For it’s a long night and weary grow the feet
That walk the long road but the morning will come sweet
Yes, it’s a long night and the Prince is in the streets tonight.
We’ll walk into the city, Chaos is it’s name
In its streets and alleys are the blind, the sick, the maimed.
The children cry for water and relief seems out of sight.
And they dream about tomorrow in the darkness of the night.
For it’s a long night, and weary grow the feet
That walk the long road but the morning will come sweet.
Yes, it’s a long night and the Prince is in the streets tonight.
Well just outside that city far from the blight and pain
There’s a holy mountain fortress where life seems calm and sane.
There’s feasting there and singing by tranquil waterfalls.
The street folks never come there ’cause they cannot climb the walls.
And the gateway to the fortress the Man of Sorrows cries
A Prince in beggar’s clothing with compassion in His eyes.
And the mountain folks won’t hear Him so He’ll turn His feet around.
And the Ruler of the mountain becomes a Servant in the town!
God, it’s a long night and weary grow the feet
That walk the long road, but the morning will come sweet
Yes, it’s a long night and the Prince is in the streets tonight.
Well I see His kingdom coming and I see the victory day.
They’ll be no neeed of fortress walls for there is a better way.
The Prince willl lift the lowly and the proud will taste defeat.
Don’t look for the kingdom on the mountain for it’s coming in the streets.
Yes, it’s a long night and weary go the feet that walk the long road
But the morning will come sweet.
Yes, it’s a long night and the Prince is in the street tonight.
Tonight!
