During the early years of our lives we probably didn't think very much about getting old, the loss of our normal facilities, death or heaven. We thought those things were far in the future. Maybe that is one reason so few of the songs written and sung today by praise teams talk about the future and heaven. But there comes a time for most of us when that changes. It might be the illness or death of a loved one. It might be the realization that most of our life is now behind us. Old age and declining health come quickly. And while believers have an eternal hope we still begin to wonder how our life will come to an end on this earth. Will it be a sudden death? Will we suffer in pain? Will we need to relocate to a nursing home. None of us know when or how this event will be. But we all will face it - with or without hope. Charles Davis Tilman (1861 - 1943) was the the youngest son of a Baptist preacher. He painted houses, sold sheet music for a company in Raleigh, and peddled "Wizard Oil", an American patent medicine sold as a cure-all. In 1887 he began to focus his career more on his church and musical talents. He sang first tenor in a church male quartet and established his own church-related music publishing company in Atlanta. Maybe Tilman began to ponder his future and that may have led him to write this week's hymn choice. The hymn became a popular song for older folks, probably because they too began to think about the end of their road. It also became popularized internationally by George Beverly Shea, Bill Gaither, and Lynda Randle. Tilman shares some encouraging words for us as we near our end here on earth. "There are so many hills to climb upward, I often am longing for rest. But He who appoints me my pathway knows just what is needful and best." "He loves me too well to forsake me, or give me a trial too much;" "When all that now seems so mysterious will be bright and as clear as the day, then the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way." What a joyful reminder for God's children that no matter what may be ahead for each of us, He will go with us and take us safely home. He will never leave or forsake us. Then the toils of the road will seem nothing when I get to the end of the way. And on these truths we can face declining health and the challenges of life with hope and assurance.
1. The sands have been washed in the footprints
Of the stranger on Galilee's shore,
And the voice that subdued the rough billows,
Will be heard in Judea no more.
But the path of that lone Galilean,
With joy I will follow today;
And the toils of the road will seem nothing,
When I get to the end of the way.
2. There are so many hills to climb upward,
I often am longing for rest,
But He who appoints me my pathway
Knows just what is needful and best.
I know in His word He hath promised
That my strength, "it shall be as my day";
And the toils of the road will seem nothing,
When I get to the end of the way.
3. He loves me too well to forsake me,
Or give me a trial too much;
All His people have been dearly purchased,
And Satan can never claim such.
By and by I shall see Him and praise Him,
In the city of unending day;
And the toils of the road will seem nothing,
When I get to the end of the way.
4. When the last, feeble step has been taken,
And the gates of that city appear,
And the beautiful songs of the angels
Float out on my listening ear;
When all that now seems so mysterious
Will be bright and as clear as the day,
Then the toils of the road will seem nothing,
When I get to the end of the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment