Artist Danny Gokey's powerful story is shared on his official website: first wife Sophia encouraged him to audition for American Idol. But before his audition, Sophia unexpectedly died from complications surrounding a heart surgery. In the midst of Danny's devastating sorrow, he honored Sophia by auditioning for American Idol just a month after she passed. Viewers were touched by Danny's story as he advanced through the competition, and the touching story combined with his moving voice made him a fan favorite.

American Idol not only helped Danny Gokey land a record deal and catapulted his voice into the homes of millions, it also help provide a platform for him to launch Sophia's Heart, an organization founded to carry on the legacy of giving started by his late wife. The organization provides a place to live for homeless families in Nashville, and Gokey is proud of the way Sophia's Heart has expanded to care for a growing number of families each year.

When Danny sings, his experiences lend him a special credibility. Despite the presence of heartache, hope has also always been a consistent presence in his story. Gokey is now remarried, and he and his wife Leyicet have a beautiful son born January 20, 2013. Gokey tells his story on his new album Hope in Front of Me as well as in an autobiographical book of the same name.

I had the chance to speak with Danny about the hit title track.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

This song was written from a very dark place in my life. I recently wrote a book with the same title, and the subject was about finding purpose in your darkest moments. When we went to write this song, we wanted a song that reflected the journey that I'd walked through. This song is not only my journey, but a reflection of so many people's journeys. We all go through these times when it feels like the rain and the storms are never going to end, and when you pray it seems like it is getting darker and darker.

It's those little pieces of hope that God puts in front of you that are the light at the end of the tunnel to keep walking towards. Instead of getting stuck in a toxic place, keep walking towards the light, and keep making progress until it all makes sense.

It's a true message wrapped up in a current sound. I'm getting great feedback from the song. It comes from a personal place. I had to walk through these moments to learn these lessons, to learn about what hope is and how hope can bring you through. Since I had to learn it firsthand, it is interesting how God has allowed me to learn and now bring this message of hope to others. Not from a distant level, but from a personal place. David said in the Psalms, "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him." Something good is on the way. David wasn't in a great situation when he said that. Hope is something that you possess in your heart instead of the physical realm. Hope is about believing a better day is coming.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Psalm 42:11 (NIV): Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

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.

What is the takeaway message?

I wanted to mix hope and entertainment, but not in a way that would be cliché or sappy. I want to deliver a message that feeds the soul, but makes you want to move and groove to the music.

That's always the goal when I write. I'm a person of faith, so I always want my songs to have a strong message of hope. I want to write them in a way that is fresh. "Hope In Front of Me" has got a great message, but it's also got a great groove to the song so you are moving and your soul is getting fed while you are singing and jamming to the music. Life might not always makes sense. There's no justice in it and sometimes it might not seem fair, but it's not the end of the road. Turn the page. Move forward and keep putting your life in God's hands. There is always hope ahead.

Lyrics:
I've been running through rain that I thought would never end
Trying to make it on faith in a struggle against the wind
I've seen the dark and the broken places
But I know in my soul no matter how bad it gets, I'll be alright

There's hope in front of me
There's a light I still see it
There's a hand still holding me
Even when I don't believe it
I might be down but I'm not dead
There's better days still up ahead
Even after all I've seen, there's hope in front of me

There's a place at the end of the storm you'll finally find
Where the hurt and the tears and the pain all fall behind
You open up your eyes and up ahead there's a big sun shining
Right then and there you realize, you'll be alright

There's hope in front of me
There's a light I still see it
There's a hand still holding me
Even when I don't believe it
I might be down but I'm not dead
There's better days still up ahead
Even after all I've seen, there's hope in front of me

There's a hope still burning
I can feel it rising through the night
And my world's still turning
I can feel Your love here by my side

You're my hope
You're the light I still see it
Your hands are holding me
Even when I don't believe
Oh, I've got to believe, I‘ve got to believe

I still have hope
You are my hope

My wife and I watched the American Idol season featuring Danny, and we immediately connected to his story. 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. This song is connecting with listeners for the same reason.

Musically, the song even has a hopeful feel to it, and we share the same daily reminder that we are either in a trial, coming out of a trial, or entering into a trial. Hope is the key, and we have a blessed hope if we've put all of our faith and hope in Jesus. We also know from God's Word that we will go through trials. Those moments are meant to remind us to not trust in ourselves, but to trust in Him.

There is an autobiographical component that makes Danny's story of finding "better days ahead" truly inspirational. As Danny shared, "Hope is something that you possess in your heart instead of the physical realm." David in Psalm 42:11 understood that, and that's why God calls him a "man after God's own heart." The Bible and songs like this are meant to be encouragement to know that there is always hope ahead.

Most of all, we need to remember that God is the source of all hope, and it doesn't come from anything we can do. We need to believe. Jesus said, "Blessed are those that have not seen and still believe." This song is a wonderful reminder for the believer that "even when I don't believe, I've got to believe, I still have hope, You are my hope." Amen to that!

Watch the lyric video here.