The day is going to come
when there will be no more suffering we'll get to that in a minute
and there is suffering that silences singing but most of our lives
wouldn't you agree most of our lives are lived under the truth
life is hard and God is good for the last three thousand years let's
say from the time of David on for the last three thousand
years whenever God's people have
been conscious of this life is hard and God is good
the effect for 3 000 years has been thousands and thousands faith
sustaining songs sad songs happy songs that are sad sad
songs that are happy the interpenetration of life is hard and
God is good just ask yourself
what are your favorite hymns or spiritual songs which ones
have touched you most deeply which ones have
sustained you most powerfully over the years and I dare say you would
answer with me the songs that were born out of
suffering the songs that give expression to pain and hope in pain
I have a
evernote file on my phone the file is called songs
it's got 139 of my favorite hymns so I scanned them a few days ago just to
see if this was born out in
my experience like I remember it to be
see if these don't strike a chord
those who love the father though the storms may gather
still have peace within yea whatever we here must bear
still in the lies purest pleasure Jesus priceless treasure
when I come to die oh when I come to die oh when I come to die
give me Jesus abide with me fast falls the
even tide the darkness deepens Lord with me abide when other helpers
fail and comforts flee help of the helpless oh abide
with me though he giveth or he taketh God his
children never forsaketh his the loving purpose solely
to preserve them pure and holy
ye fearful saints fresh courage take the clouds you so much dread are big
with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head
judge not the Lord by feeble sins but trust him for his grace
behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face
he whose heart is kind beyond all measure
gives unto each day what he deems best lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure
mingling toil with peace and rest o joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to thee
I trace the rainbow through the rain and feel the promise is
not vain that morn will tearless be
the greatest songs are born of the greatest suffering that's just
the way it is.