IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL

The Christian life should be one of joy and peace. And that is our Father's desire for us. However, as long as we are still on our journey through this foreign land of earth, we will continue to experience trials, heartaches, tears, separations, and disappointments. And at times these experiences will be so very hard to face and bear. And often we find ourselves complaining and asking "why?". I think that question is probably the one most often asked by believers. And yet we know that God is always with His children and He knows all of their cares. And we know that He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. And sometimes it takes us time to recognize and apply these truths and experience the supernatural peace that only He can give. Then the sun shines through the clouds once again. As my grandfather used to often say, we just need to "keep looking up!", For there will be a time, hopefully very soon, when we shall understand fully and then we will testify, as Esther Kerr Rusthoi, the writer of this week's hymn, has, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus". So believer, if you find yourself today in one of those impossible situations of life, look to Jesus, knowing that He is with you and in control and one day soon your trials will seem so small when you are finally with Him.

(1) Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,

We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,

All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(2) Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,

We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;

But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,

Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(3) Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,

We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;

We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,

The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Listen to the words and music here. LISTEN

GOD LEADS HIS DEAR CHILDREN

Last night we celebrated the 50th reunion of my high school class. It was a fun time of sharing and renewing acquaintances. We had a small class - 85 graduates - but it was a good class with very nice people. And a number of the members are born again. It was interesting to hear so many stories of the events that have shaped our lives over these 50 years. Some were funny, some were very sad. Some shared how the Lord carried them through some very tragic events and those who knew the Lord were able to testify how the Lord worked through these events, giving them the wisdom, strength and peace that they needed. In reflecting upon the evening, my mind was drawn to this week's selection which reminds us of God's leading through all the events of our lives. I trust that this hymn is also your experience and testimony ... God leads His dear children along.

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,

God leads His dear children along;

Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,

In the night season and all the day long.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,

God leads His dear children along;

Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,

In the night season and all the day long.

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,

God leads His dear children along;

Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,

In the night season and all the day long.

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,

God leads His dear children along;

Away up in glory, eternity's day,

God leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,

In the night season and all the day long.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

THROUGH IT ALL

Sometimes testimony hymns really speak to us because we can relate to the experiences that are described. I am sure that many of us can relate to the words and music written by Andrae Crouch. Incidentally, below you can hear Andrae actually sing this great number which he composed. Often we ask the question "why?" when we are going through tough times that are often marked by tears and sorrows. And there often seems to be no answer to our question. The storms and valleys often seem so very hard to endure. But as we've trusted God, we've experienced His provision and leading, no matter how difficult the events. And sometimes it is not until many years later that we can really look back and see how He carried us through those lonely hours. And then we can often testify how He used these difficult experiences in our lives to help us grow closer to Him and to teach us to how to depend upon Him even more. Reflect upon this thought as you meditate on these words.

I've had many tears and sorrows,

I've had questions for tomorrow,

There've been times I didn't know right from wrong:

But in every situation God gave blessed consolation

That my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God;

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places,

And I've seen a lot of faces,

There've been times I felt so all alone;

But in my lonely hours,

Yes, those precious lonely hours,

Jesus let me know that I was His own.

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God;

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I thank God for the mountains,

And I thank Him for the valleys,

I thank Him for the storms

He brought me through;

For if I'd never had a problem

I wouldn't know that He could solve them,

I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God;

Through it all, through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word

Listen to it here. LISTEN.

HE BROUGHT ME OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY

On Saturday morning we left very early in the morning to travel to State College for the Penn State football game. On the way we tuned in a Christian radio station and I recognized a hymn that I haven't heard in decades. While I seldom remember singing the verses of this hymn, I do recall that the refrain was sung regularly in our prayer meetings. Despite the decades that had passed, I was amazed that I readily remembered the words and the melody. My wife remarked that she doesn't ever remember hearing this hymn or even its refrain. I replied that I was surprised by this because I often remember her father quoting the verse that this is based on when he gave his personal testimony. Psalm 40:2, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings". It is interesting that modern philosophy and even some theology says that we are basically good and that all we have to do is pull ourselves up and reach our potential. But those who have been saved by God's grace realize that without Him and His work on the cross, we are hopeless. We are low in a pit in the miry clay of sin that continues to pull us down. But when we experience the gift of His salvation, our feet are placed on a solid rock, a solid foundation. My father-in-law, even untill the time of his death, recognized this truth in his life, and he testified of it often. Have you experienced this transformation of being lifted out of the sinking pit of sin and hopelessness and being placed on a permanent foundation? Only Jesus can do that. The words of this old and probably forgotten hymn were written in the late 1800's by Henry J. Zelley and the music was added by Henry L. Gilmour.

My heart was distressed 'neath Jehovah's dread frown,

And low in the pit where my sins dragged me down;

I cried to the Lord from the deep miry clay,

Who tenderly brought me out to golden day.

Refrain:

He brought me out of the miry clay,

He set my feet on the Rock to stay;

He puts a song in my soul today,

A song of praise, hallelujah!

He placed me upon the strong Rock by His side,

My steps were established and here I'll abide;

No danger of falling while here I remain,

But stand by His grace until the crown I gain.

He brought me out of the miry clay,

He set my feet on the Rock to stay;

He puts a song in my soul today,

A song of praise, hallelujah!

He gave me a song, 'twas a new song of praise;

By day and by night its sweet notes I will raise;

My heart's overflowing, I'm happy and free.

I'll praise my Redeemer, who has rescued me.

He brought me out of the miry clay,

He set my feet on the Rock to stay;

He puts a song in my soul today,

A song of praise, hallelujah!

I'll sing of His wonderful mercy to me,

I'll praise Him till all men His goodness shall see;

I'll sing of salvation at home and abroad,

Till many shall hear the truth and trust in God.

He brought me out of the miry clay,

He set my feet on the Rock to stay;

He puts a song in my soul today,

A song of praise, hallelujah!

Listen to the music here. LISTEN