FARTHER ALONG

          I think the biggest question that believers often have is "why?"   Why did this happen to me or my family?  I  too have often asked this question.  Why did my brother die when he was so young?  Why did the Lord allow me to lose my voice?  Why did the Lord allow us to experience the pandemic and be separated from our loved ones for so many months?  And I could go on with so many "whys".  And probably you can say the very same thing.

          Today's hymn choice shares so many similar questions and suggests that "farther along we'll understand why".  Now that is an interesting and comforting thought when we face difficulties.  And I do know that as life goes on the Lord's purposes are sometimes revealed to us.  After all, we are told that all things work together for good to God's children and we can rest in that promise.

          However some reasons might not be revealed to us until we reach heaven.  And I often wonder if at that time we will really still be interested in the reasons.  We'll be with the Lord and our loved ones and the cares of this life will probably no longer be a concern. But the repeated theme of this song is that, "farther along" (in Heaven, perhaps), the truth will be revealed.

          There is considerable disagreement about who actually wrote this song.  At least four different men have been credited with writing it, whether the words, or music, or both, is not always clear. Three of the four men who may have been involved in writing the song are identified at some point simply as "Holiness preachers." 

          One of these is Rev. W. A. Fletcher, an itinerant preacher, who is said to have written the words in 1911 while he was traveling to the Indian Territories by train.  Fletcher was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting their first child in a few weeks and he wouldn't be present for the occasion. He felt that his priorities were with his ministry and wrote the lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at the time.  Sitting next to him on the train was J. R. Baxter, a gospel music promoter, who was quite taken with the lyrics that Fletcher was writing and offered him $2.00 for them. Mr. Baxter subsequently had them put to music.

          Many hymnals have given credit to William B. Stevens, a Church of God preacher in Missouri. If anyone had a motivation to write such a song, it was Stevens.  It is said that he was a truly Job-like figure who outlived all six of his children, many of them dying in childhood. He was a prolific songwriter and even published a few songbooks   He said he was sitting at the organ running his fingers aimlessly over the keys. His luck had been against him and he was feeling blue, but somehow he struck a chord which came right out of the the organ and the song was the result.

          No matter who actually wrote it, the author's mind is on the misfortunes of life. The first stanza compares the speaker's lot to that of the wicked, who are "never molested" or harmed, presumably by the vicissitudes of "time and chance" (Ecclesiastes 9:11). The second stanza speaks of the loss of loved ones, especially those who are taken from us unexpectedly. There is also a reference to material hardships. The speaker must "go in the rain, the cold, and the snow," compared to the worldly who are "living in comfort." Another stanza speaks of facing false accusations and persecution, even from family members. These thoughts emphasize the trials Christians face because of our choice to serve Jesus.

           Such concerns have always been there. Jeremiah said, "Righteous are You, O LORD, when I complain to You; yet I would plead my case before You. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" (Jeremiah 12:1). And Habakkuk was even more forward with God, saying, "Why do You make me see iniquity, and why do You idly look at wrong?" (Habakkuk 1:3a). 

          David often expressed similar concerns to the Lord.  But, he also wrote,   "Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb" (Psalm 37:1-2).

          We need to remember that God is in control and He has a plan for our lives.  We may not know now why He permits certain things but we can be assured that He works all things together for our good.   And in that truth we can bear the burdens and questions we encounter.

          The songwriter concludes, "We'll understand it all by and by."  And someday we will understand why it was worth whatever we may have suffered.  God is so good - all the time!  Trust Him!

1.       Tempted and tried, we're oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long;

While there are others living about us,

Never molested, though in the wrong.

Farther along we'll know more about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by.

2.     Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer,

Go in the rain, the cold, and the snow,

When there are many living in comfort,

Giving no heed to all I can do.

Farther along we'll know more about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by.

3.     Tempted and tried, how often we question

Why we must suffer year after year,

Being accused by those of our loved ones,

Even though we've walked in God's holy fear.

Farther along we'll know more about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by.

4.      Often when death has taken our loved ones,

Leaving our home so lone and so drear,

Then do we wonder why others prosper,

Living so wicked year after year.

Farther along we'll know more about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by.

5.      "Faithful till death," saith our loving Master;

Short is our time to labor and wait;

Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,

When we shall pass the heavenly gate.

Farther along we'll know more about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by.

6.      Soon we will see our dear, loving Savior,

Hear the last trumpet sound through the sky;

Then we will meet those gone on before us,

Then we shall know and understand why.

Farther along we'll know more about it,

Farther along we'll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We'll understand it all by and by.

You can listen to it here.    UNDERSTAND