WE'LL WORK TILL JESUS COMES

          Labor Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.  While there are many special celebrations, I believe that for most Americans it is just a day that marks the end of summer, a day of picnics and family gatherings, a final day to swim, and maybe, most importantly, a day off work.  Now I believe that for the Christian, every day should be a "labor day" - a day of laboring for and serving the Lord.  Now let me be perfectly clear, we can't earn our salvation with works.  Ephesians 2: 8, 9 remind us that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."  Works won't get us to heaven.  But, let's not forget the following verse, verse 10. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  It is our responsibility to serve and work for the Lord.  I remember, years ago, being part of a conversation, where a couple who had reached retirement age in their occupations shared how they had also "retired" from all their positions of service in their church.  They said that it was time for the younger generation to take over serving.  Jesus himself said, as recorded in John 9:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." There are no vacations or retirements in the ministry of serving.  There is always more to do and God has trusted us with special gifts to be used for Him until He returns and takes us home.  A song which encourages us to be doers of the work is "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes".  Sometimes dated 1829, the the text was written by an unknown author. Some authorities believe that it is from the American folk tradition. In other books it is attributed to Mrs. Elizabeth King Mills (1805-1829), the daughter of Philip King, who married Thomas Mills, a member of Parliament. No other information about her appears to be available, except that she was a poet.  In this song we are told that heaven is a land of rest for which we sigh and look forward to.  In stanza two we are told that in contrast this earth is not our home.  In stanza three we are reminded that, therefore, we must flee to Jesus Christ for our rest.  In stanza four the author tells us that Christ will help us through death and to our heavenly home.  But until that happens, we need to be about the work of our Father.  So as you celebrate this Labor Day, be reminded that our labor for the Lord is not done.  Nor is it in vain.  We need to continue to work for Him until Jesus comes and gathers us home.

1. O land of rest, for thee I sigh!

When will the moment come

When I shall lay my armor by

And dwell in peace at home?

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

2. No tranquil joys on earth I know,

No peaceful, shelt'ring dome;

This world's a wilderness of woe,

This world is not my home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

3. To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;

He bade me cease to roam,

And lean for comfort on His breast

Till He conduct me home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

4. I sought at once my Savior's side;

No more my steps shall roam;

With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide

And reach my heav'nly home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

You can hear the Gathers sing this song, once you get by the five second commercial.   LISTEN 1

Here is another rendition.  LISTEN 2