O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
By: Robert Robinson, 1735-90
“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty we are free at last!” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Taken from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the clarion call of the Civil Rights movement, this phrase foreshadows an even bigger freedom. The blight of slavery, echoed in the malady of racism, has left a scar on the history of America, and is, in and of itself, a painful example of the larger epidemic of sin. While many who have witnessed the injustice of racism would confess how incredible it would be to live in a world free of it, all who have experienced the ravages of sin would acknowledge the even greater miracle of finally being free from it and it’s curse.
But to be honest, I am not sure that even that feeling will eclipse the wonder of finally seeing our Savior face-to-face.
Prepared to Sing
This is a difficult image to imagine. Christ shed His blood to redeem us. Our heavenly garments will be washed in His blood, yet whiter than snow. Though my sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow, from Isaiah 1:18. I believe it, it is just difficult to wrap my mind around it!
Can you imagine what we will sound like when we stand in His glorious presence, in glorified bodies, singing of His glorious and sovereign grace? I try sometimes. I have often asked the question, “Why do we spend so little time considering how we will spend eternity?” Rather, we spend so much time over concerns of this earth, this life, this age, but it will all pass away.
I have a friend who, when faced with the continual frustrations of this life, likes to remind me, “It’s all going to burn.” Those who have trusted in Christ will not, but effectively everything else will. It is the sovereign grace of our Redeemer that allows us to climb the stairwell and not only get to the heavenly gates, but confidently walk right it.
Uh huh. Your point?
These are all themes many are familiar with, but I wonder if we allow them to have their intended effect on our living. I find it interesting that the hymn closes with this incredible picture of Heaven for us. I love the certainty with which these things are declared. It is from that finality that we must draw strength to live these days, even as we long for those.
My point? That is our Savior. That is our future. That is our song.
Tune your heart to sing it today, that eternity may resonate within you even now.
Coming King, help you sing Your praise here, though imperfectly, even as I long to sing it best face-to-face. Come quickly, Lord. But should you tarry, that is delay Your coming, may it be to give me opportunities to encourage others to join me, and prepare my ransomed soul to sing!
What thought of Heaven gives you the greatest sense of anticipation for your eternal Home? Please comment below.
Video Log, Come Thou Fount – Episode 5
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