"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22) The Christian life should be one that experiences these attributes. And that is our Father's desire for us. However, as long as we are still on our journey through this foreign land, believers will continue to experience trials, heartaches, tears, separations, and disappointments which are a normal part of our pilgrim journey. 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 our 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 say, we just need to "keep looking up!". There will be a time, hopefully very soon, when we shall understand fully. The encouraging prospect in the hymn is weighing the trials and troubles of today against the boundless and eternal blessings of eternity. Then we will testify, as Esther Kerr Rusthoi (1909-1962), the writer of this week's hymn, has, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus". Rusthoi was an author, poet, composer, singer, and evangelist. She suffered from ill health and died at the age of 53, so she probably knew well the trials of this life which were so hard to bear. So believer, if today you find yourself 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. Since this is a Timeless Hymn rewrite of my previous blog on this hymn, I should note that of all of the approximate 500 hymn blogs I have written, this one has received the most responses, by far, from my readers. The words of this hymn certainly have had an impact on so many lives over the years. Just remember that "one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ!"
(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.
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.
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.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment