No More Night

        There are those moments in life when you are stunned by news that is both surprising and shocking. Sometimes it is news of a death or an accident or a loss of a job or a serious physical problem.  One of those moments came for me years ago when my son told me that my parents were in an auto accident and the Lord had taken mother home.
         The most recent stunning moment for me came following my heart cath when I was told that I would need to see a surgeon to schedule open heart surgery.  They were going to send me home until I could set up a time for surgery but we suggested that it would be better to be admitted and stay in the hospital until surgery could be scheduled.  Why would I want to go home with the possibility of having a heart attack?   They agreed and admitted me that morning.
         Later that afternoon they informed me that a surgeon was available and I would have by-pass surgery the next morning.  I was overwhelmed by what was happening and it was a very long night.  We all know that someday death will come for each of us, but seldom do we need to face the issue that it could happen in a few hours.
         That night I wrestled with two thoughts.  First, I really didn't want to die now.  It wouldn't be fair to my family.  How would my wife adjust?  I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up.  I had things that I still wanted to do.  Why now?  But then why not?  Death is going to happen someday and the Lord will provide the peace, wisdom and strength that those left behind need.
         On the other hand I thought about how marvelous it would be to be with Jesus for eternity.   There would no longer be pain or crying or evil.  The problems of this life would be over and I would be at peace.  And there were relatives and friends I longed to see - my parents, my grandparents, my uncles and aunts and special friends such as Jim, Norm, Gary, Ralph, and, of course, my brother Terry.  What a great reunion that would be.
          So early the next morning I went to surgery with peace knowing that the Lord was in control and my life and future, whatever that would be, were in His hands.  I have always believed that but for the first time in my life this was reality. My life really was in God's hands.
          And obviously it turned out that this was not the time that the Lord would take me home with Him.  He brought me through hours of surgery and five by-passes.  There apparently are still things for me to do here on earth for Him.   And I gained a new appreciation for health and life and for each new day, days that the Lord has made.
          A few days after surgery I heard a special song that I had forgotten about, "No More Night".  Dianne and I used to sing it as a duet and the words always ministered to me.  They did again this time.  In case you've never heard it, here are the words.

The timeless theme, Earth and Heaven will pass away
Its not a dream, God will make all things new that day
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell
Evil is banished to eternal hell
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again

And praises to the great, "I AM"
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb

See all around, now the nations bow down to sing
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King
Slowly the names from the book are read
I know the King, so there's no need to dread
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, "I AM"
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb

See over there, there's a mansion
Oh, that's prepared just for me
Where I will live with my Savior eternally
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, "I AM"
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb
All praises to the great, "I AM"
Were gonna live in the light of the risen Lamb

Here ia a great version of this song sung by David Phelps.  LISTEN.   May the truth and power of these words minister to you as they have done to me.