IT'S NOT AN EASY ROAD

          If the pandemic did one thing for us, it made us realize that life can suddenly change and we can face obstacles that we never expected - illness, unemployment, isolation, loss of liberties, fear, loneliness, anxiety, shortages.  Yes, many of us have experienced problems that we never anticipated.  We have experienced a very bumpy road in our lives.

          And believers are not exempt from the rough road of life.  We face the same trials and problems that others face.  However, there is a big difference.  We have a Companion who walks beside us, guards us and guides us and smooths our rugged path every day. His presence brightens our path and gives us joy and hope.

          This song was written by one of the best know hymn writers of our lifetime, John W. Peterson (1921-2006).  Many of us have grown up singing his cantatas and his hymns. He served as an Army Air Force pilot flying the China Hump during World War II. Later, he attended Moody Bible Institute and served on the radio staff there for a number of years. In 1953, he graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and shortly thereafter settled in Pennsylvania to continue his song writing career. He then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where for over ten years he was President and Editor-in-Chief of Singspiration, a sacred music publishing company. While there, he compiled and edited a hymnal called "Great Hymns of the Faith" which many of us used in our churches.  Some of his more popular song titles include "It Took a Miracle", "Over the Sunset Mountains", "Heaven Came Down", "So Send I You", "Springs of Living Water", "Jesus is Coming Again", "Surely Goodness and Mercy", "This is the day that the Lord hath made" and "O Glorious Love". His cantatas include Night of Miracles and Down From His Glory.

          But in this week's hymn choice Peterson reminds us that we can expect our road here on earth to be rugged and filled with bumps - it's not an easy road.  But thankfully Jesus is with us all the way and He lightens our heavy load, if we trust Him and allow Him to do so.

          To anyone questioning the value of walking with God, remember, saying no to selfish choices and saying yes to God's commands may not be easy. But it's the only way to experience true and lasting joy. Psalm 112 declares that the person who respects God and wants to please Him will enjoy His favor (v.1). That doesn't guarantee a trouble-free life, of course, but it does assure us that we can have peace even in the tough times (v. 6-8).

         We can delight in knowing God's blessing is on us, even when the road is not easy. 

 

 1.     It's not an easy road

We are traveling to heaven,

For many are the thorns on the way;

It's not an easy road,

But the Savior is with us,

His presence gives us joy every day.

No, no, it's not an easy road,

No, no, it's not an easy road;

But Jesus walks beside me

And brightens the journey,

And lightens every heavy load.

2.     t's not an easy road

There are trials and troubles

And many are the dangers we meet;

But Jesus guards and keeps

So that nothing can harm us,

And smooths the rugged path for our feet.

No, no, it's not an easy road,

No, no, it's not an easy road;

But Jesus walks beside me

And brightens the journey,

And lightens every heavy load.

3.     Though I am often footsore

And weary from travel,

Though I am often bowed down with care,

Well a better day is coming

When home in the glory

We'll rest in perfect peace over there.

No, no, it's not an easy road,

No, no, it's not an easy road;

But Jesus walks beside me

And brightens the journey,

And lightens every heavy load.

Listen to it here.   ROAD