WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

This is a feature where once each month I share one of my personal favorite hymns.

          For many years this has been one of my favorite hymns.  I appreciate it because it has a positive message of hope.  It's not "if" we get to heaven, but "when" we get to heaven.  It shares the message of Jesus of a coming time when this pilgrim journey will be over and we will see Him face to face.

          The hymn is a source of comfort and assurance, especially as we struggle with the cares and heartaches of this life.  We sang it at my father's memorial service and then, three months later, around my brother's bed as he quietly passed into glory. What a testimony for the believer.

          Over the years I have had the responsibility of leading many hymn sings, music for conferences and retreats, as well as programs for seniors.  As we come to the end of these worship experiences I usually choose this hymn to close.  Those of us who are there don't know if we will ever be together once again on this earth.  But if we are born again believers we can look forward to that time of meeting again in heaven.  There we will raise our voices in praise of our great Savior.  What a day that will be!

          Sometimes we can appreciate a hymn even more when we know something about the author.  Eliza Hewitt (1851-1920) was a teacher in Philadelphia.  One day while overseeing her students in the playground, she, unfortunately, suffered a severe back injury and was forced to bed for months, dealing with the pain the rest of her life.  Although Eliza could have been resentful, and no one would have blamed her, she felt the presence of the Lord while confined to bed. She started studying Literature and English while recovering from her injury. Barely did she know that she was being prepared by God to write poetry and hymns, and these two subjects would prove very useful.          
          As Eliza recovered some of her strength in later years, she was able to get around slowly. She attended the summer Methodist Camp meeting, in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Here she met Emily D. Wilson and they formed a great friendship. They worshipped and studied together and together created this hymn, "When We All Get To Heaven." The hymn was first published in 1898.
          Are you perplexed? Discouraged? Worried?  Why not sing and claim the words of this great hymn, "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!"
          That day is coming soon.  I hope to sing and shout with you then, around His throne.

(1)    Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

Sing His mercy and His grace.

In the mansions bright and blessèd

He'll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to Heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We'll sing and shout the victory!

 

(2)    While we walk the pilgrim pathway,

Clouds will overspread the sky;

But when traveling days are over,

Not a shadow, not a sigh.

When we all get to Heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We'll sing and shout the victory!

 

(3)    Let us then be true and faithful,

Trusting, serving every day;

Just one glimpse of Him in glory

Will the toils of life repay.

When we all get to Heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We'll sing and shout the victory!

 

(4)    Onward to the prize before us!

Soon His beauty we'll behold;

Soon the pearly gates will open;

We shall tread the streets of gold.

When we all get to Heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We'll sing and shout the victory!

Listen to the music here.    LISTEN