“God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
“But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
“God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
“But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love…”
– Annie Johnson Flint
This poem was on the program handed out at my mom’s funeral. I remember very little from that day. Only that my sisters and I were given a rose at the end of the ceremony and this poem. The meaning of this poem went right over my head, but I knew that it was meant to comfort when times got hard. God does not promise that we will not go through trials and hard times. In fact, He tells us that committing our life to Him ensures that we will be persecuted and go through hard times (2 Timothy 3:12). Several verses throughout the Bible warn us that we must hold tight to God through the trials we are faced with so we may learn perseverance.
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;” – Romans 5:3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” – James 1:2-3
How are we supposed to joyfully go through suffering when God does not promise any happiness on this earth?
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36
If we persevere now, then God will give us all that has been promised. When I die on this earth, I will be united with my Father. My Maker. My Best Friend. My God. I will get to go home. I do not know what this home will look like or when I will get there…but any amount of suffering will be worth getting to spend eternity with the One I love in the home He has prepared for me.
I know that the World Race is going to be a very hard time in my life. It will not be easy to see people hurt and dying. I will crave the comfort of my own bed and I will miss my friends and family. There will be trials along the way. I also know this experience will be rewarding. I will get to see people meet Jesus for the first time! I will gain many more brothers and sisters in Christ! I will learn to rely on Him when there is nothing left of me! And, finally, I will walk through every day knowing that I can go home to God when He is done with me here. What a sweet silver lining.
