Nobody ever told me life was easy, and for me it had never been, but I was the stronger because of it. One learns to succeed by succeeding in small things first. Mostly a person learns to succeed by simply overcoming failure.”
–Louis L’Amour (Passin’ Through)
“‘Well done!’ said his master, ‘you’re a sound, reliable servant. You’ve been trustworthy over a few things, now I’m going to put you in charge of many. Come in and share your master’s pleasure.’”
–Matthew 25:23 (Phillips)
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Fanny Crosby was an amazing lady and servant of the Lord. Though blind, she had an insight that was so special with her loving Savior. She wrote more than eight thousands hymns in her life. One of her most favorites was “My Savior First of All.”
“When my life-work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see,
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.”
At some point in our lives we will probably wonder, “when will that day come”? We do not know when we shall depart this earth, but one thing for certain – it will not happen until our life-work is over. Until that last breath there will be things to do. I don’t know how it will happen, but I do think she has it right. The first person to welcome us when we get to heaven will be Jesus Himself. How that can possibly happen, I don’t know or pretend to understand.
“O the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye!
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love, and grace
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky!”
It will not be by any of our own merit, that’s for sure. He has gone away to prepare a place for us; one day we will enter that heavenly abode. But it will be only through his mercy, love, and grace. There is a popular song out right now, “I can only imagine,” but Scripture declares we will fall at His feet. But truly, our finite minds cannot grasp what it will be like in His presence.
“O the dear ones in glory–how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall!
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.”
Can you recall the funerals of loved ones that you have attended? Those who were Christians we did not want them to depart, even knowing that they were now in glory. But that is a thought: they are on the other side, waiting, beckoning for us to finish the race. Most of all, the Person who is waiting the most for us is Jesus our Lord. He will be the One who will welcome us home.
“Thro’ the gates to the city in a robe os spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall.
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.”
We struggle with life down here below. We try to keep our clothes clean and white, but to no avail as the dirt of this world gets on them. We scrub, and rightly so, but our sanctification is not complete until that day when He will robe us in garments of white. When we see His face, we will be completely overwhelmed as we get a glimpse of His countenance and then look at the nail prints in His hand and realize that we are truly redeemed.
“I shall know Him; I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand.
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
By the prints of the nails in His hand.”