We received word today that a dear, kind, godly man from our church in Chicago went home to be with the Lord recently. His health has been failing so his death wasn't necessarily a surprise, but it provided an opportunity to really reflect on heaven.
Wednesday night at church we sang the old hymn, The Sands of Time are Sinking. I love so many of the new songs we have started singing, but there's something about the words to the old hymns that are so sweet and meditative if one takes the time to notice them. I was struck by the last stanza Wednesday night as we sang it, and then again today while I was thinking about Mr. Johnson being in heaven.
We often think about going to heaven and the joy we will have as we "explore" all the wonderful things that await us. I like to imagine talking with all the different Bible characters and many of the saints who have earned a place in history for their walk with the Lord, but I have to agree with the hymnwriter that we will be so taken with our dear Bridegroom that we won't even be aware of other things. Can you imagine the compassion and love we will feel for our precious Savior as we gaze upon his nail-pierced hands? Oh that I would live for the Lord with just a touch of that passion that we will feel when we view Chrsit for the first time and our heavenly life begins!
Here are the words to the last verse:
The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hand,
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel's land.
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3 comments:
What an encouragement! Thank you for sharing this!
David has been teaching a SS series on Heaven this year and he uses that same verse of The Sands of Time Are Sinking in one of the lessons. He hopes to get them on his blog soon (he's been recording the lessons per people's request), so I'll let you know when it's a go. =)
The Sands of Time - one of the most beautiful hymns ever written!
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