Articles
Till the Morn Shall Dawn
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:28-31)
This beautiful passage from Isaiah has for many years been one of my favorite passages. Today, as I sit here writing these words, they become a safe haven of rest for my weary soul. Life is such a great adventure. One moment the path is so smooth and easy but suddenly, often without warning, it becomes rocky and difficult. It is a great adventure because we never know when we awake each morning to begin our daily activities what the day will bring forth. It may be a day of prosperity or a day of adversity, we just never know. The wise man tells us in Ecclesiastes 7:14 to be happy in the day of prosperity but in the day of adversity to consider that God has made the one as well as the other.
I know that those who live by faith in the Son of God, ever trusting and confiding in Him will find that haven of rest that will see them through any and all of the afflictions of this life whatever they may be. When we live with a pure heart, upright and sincere we never have to fear or be anxious because we have the promise that He is our God and He will surely strengthen and help us (Gal. 2:20, Isa. 41:10, Heb. 4:16, Phil. 4:6-7, 2 Pet.5:6-7, James 4:7-10. Heb. 13:5-6).
What a great and adventurous journey this has been for me. Today, the words of 2 Tim. 4:6-8 are echoing within my heart—"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me on that day and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.” In years past, these words did not register with me as they should have but, on this day, they are forever etched in my heart with great meaning. The best thing that any of us can do for ourselves is to live for Jesus today in such a way that we can truly say, “I am ready”—you just never know. Whether we live or die, our desire, our ambition should be to be pleasing to our Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-9).
These words from the song. Anywhere Is Home, have become words of comfort and encouragement to me and I sing them often: “Oft I’m tossed about and driven by the foe, Sad within without wherever I may go, But I press along still looking up in prayer, For it’s home sweet home if Christ is only there. I will labor on Til I am called away, Till the morn shall dawn of that eternal day, Looking unto Him who keeps me in His care, Anywhere is home if Christ my Lord is there.” As we walk this pathway of life, we will be faced with burdens, cares and trials that will trouble our heart but whatever the circumstance we face, so long as our eyes are focused on the author and finisher of our faith, we will be okay (Heb. 12:1-3). Our eternal destiny lies in front of us and the thought of being absent from this weak, frail human body and being at home with the Lord is a glorious thought. What say you?
I leave you with this thought: “Live for Jesus, O my brother, His disciple ever be; Render not to any other, What alone the Lord’s should be.”
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
