WHEN I CAN READ MY TITLE CLEAR

         How well I remember the excitement when after years of renting, we were finally able to purchase our own home.  But for many years it really wasn't our own because the bank held the mortgage.  And monthly we paid back part of that debt until the day that the title to our home was finally ours.  Of course the bills went on for things like taxes, repairs, electricity, water, sewage, heat and all of that which  is part of home ownership.  My father-in-law used to say that you never own the home, the home owns you.  And I think he was right.  But I have received a title, free and clear, to another home, a perfect one which needs no upkeep.  I didn't have to earn it or purchase it, I received it as a gift the day I accepted Christ as my Savior.  The entire price was paid by Jesus when He died on the Cross of Calvary for my sins.  And I don't have to make any payments to maintain it, and even it  I wanted to, I couldn't.  It is all part of my heavenly inheritance.  And that is a much more valuable title than I could ever have or hope to have.  The great hymn writer, Isaac Watts (1674-1748), in 1707 captured this idea when he penned the words to this old hymn.   He called the hymn "The Hope of Heaven Our Support Under Trials on Earth." That reassures us that the opening line was not intended to cast doubt on the destiny of the child of God. It's not as though Watts was saying that he hasn't been able to "read his title clear" yet. Rather, it's in effect, "Because I'm able to read my title clear in God's Word, day by day."   In his first verse Watts shares about that mansion in the sky and how someday he would say farewell to every fear on earth and wipe his weeping eyes as he entered his eternal home.  In the second verse he shares about the fiery darts of Satan and how those who have the assurance of God's love can smile at Satan's rage, knowing that we can resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7).  The third verse refers to the cares and sorrows of this life which can come like a wild deluge against us. However, those who have assurance from God receive the living hope through Christ of an inheritance in heaven (1 Pet. 1.3-5).  And finally, verse four refers to the rest that will be part of our life in heaven even though through this life our souls often become weary (Galatians 6:9).  What a marvelous title and inheritance we have.  Whatever God has planned for His people in heaven, I am sure that we will spend rejoicing in it for all eternity "When I Can Read My Title Clear."

1    When I can read my title clear

to mansions in the skies,

I'll bid farewell to every fear,

and wipe my weeping eyes;

and wipe my weeping eyes,

and wipe my weeping eyes,

I'll bid farewell to every fear,

and wipe my weeping eyes.

2     Should earth against my soul engage,

and fiery darts be hurled,

then I can smile at Satan's rage,

and face a frowning world;

and face a frowning world,

and face a frowning world,

then I can smile at Satan's rage,

and face a frowning world.

3    Let cares, like a wild deluge come,

and storms of sorrow fall!

May I but safely reach my home,

my God, my heaven, my all;

my God, my heaven, my all,

my God, my heaven, my all,

may I but safely reach my home,

my God, my heaven, my all.

4    There I shall bathe my weary soul

in seas of heavenly rest,

and not a wave of trouble roll

across my peaceful breast;

across my peaceful breast,

across my peaceful breast,

and not a wave of trouble roll

across my peaceful breast.

You can listen to a special a capella version produced by one singer here.  LISTEN