THERE'LL BE NO DARK VALLEY

          At times we probably all wonder how we will die.  Will it be instant or will we suffer for a length of time.  Will we be alone or with our loved ones?  Many fear it could be a trip through a long, dark valley.

          But the Psalmist reassures us that though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear.  For God is with us and His rod and staff will be our comfort and protection.  And so many believers have found this true.

          For believers, absent from this life means present with the Lord.  And we will live in the house of the Lord forever.

          Not all believers will die but those who don't will be called home to be with the Lord at the rapture.   So don't fear.  There will be no dark valley when Jesus comes to gather his loved ones home.  And we will not face sorrow again. Nor will there be more weeping.  Instead it will be a glorious time and a time of celebration.

          William Orcutt Cushing (1823-1903) was, for a couple of decades, a successful pastor. A kindly man, he once gave a thousand dollars - all he had, and a huge sum in those days - to a blind girl, so she could get an education. But after the death of his wife in 1870, when he was 47 years old, his health began to fail.  He developed a creeping paralysis that caused him to lose his voice. and he retired from active pastoral ministry.

          By the grace of God, a new kind of ministry opened up, leading to the blessing of countless lives Mr. Cushing could never have touched in person. He turned his attention to writing hymns, and during the latter part of the nineteenth century he wrote over 300 of them. 
          Most hymnbooks give Cushing credit for writing this hymn.  However, it might have actually been written by Ira David Sankey (1840-1908).  Cushimg may have only provided the idea for the theme and Sankey may have added the words and music.
          We do not know what the future will bring to our lives here upon this earth. But by faith we can know what the future will bring to the righteous when this life is over. We may have our days of darkness, sorrow, weeping, and sadness in this world, but when Jesus comes again, we are assured that "There'll Be No Dark Valley."
          Rejoice in this truth this week.

1    There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes,

There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes;

There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes

To gather His loved ones home.

Refrain:

To gather His loved ones home,

To gather His loved ones home;

There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes

To gather His loved ones home.

2    There'll be no more sorrow when Jesus comes,

There'll be no more sorrow when Jesus comes;

But a glorious morrow when Jesus comes

To gather His loved ones home. [Refrain]

3    There'll be no more weeping when Jesus comes,

There'll be no more weeping when Jesus comes;

But a blessed reaping when Jesus comes

To gather His loved ones home. [Refrain]

4    There'll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes,

There'll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes;

And a joyful meeting when Jesus comes

To gather His loved ones home. [Refrain]

Listen to this hymn here.   VALLEY