A few years ago when we were experiencing deaths of numerous relatives and friends, we were introduced to the song "No More Night". The words had a real impact upon us. We learned the song and sang it many times as a duet in our ministry.
Recently I was watching a video featuring David Phelps. With his amazing tenor voice he sang this song in a stirring presentation. What a fitting conclusion this would be for a memorial service.
Have you ever experienced the long night hours of pain or sickness? Or even worse, have you ever sat with an ill child or a spouse wondering if daylight would ever come? Those hours seem to pass so slowly and you can feel so alone and helpless and at times even scared. If you haven't ever had this experience, you are very fortunate. I've been there many times.
But night doesn't have to just be a period without light. Financial problems, marital problems, family problems, employment problems, physical problems, Pandemic problems all can send us through times that seem dark as night with no help in sight. And these times can also be very painful. All believers go through these painful periods of "night" during our lifetime, especially as we grow older.
But rejoice, the end of night, pain and tears is near. A new morning is on the way!
In Revelation 21: 3-5 we read, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new," Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Inspired by this text, Walt Harrah wrote the music and lyrics to this week's song in 1983. A well-known Christian composer and singer, Harrah originally was planning to become a pastor, earning a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Seminary. However, as he explains, "God threw me one of those surprises, 'No Walt you're not going to be a Pastor, I want you to sing for a while.' And sure enough, a singing career opened for me." And in this hymn he expressed the hope that all believers have - no more night, no more pain, no more tears, never crying again!
All of us have experienced the death of loved ones and close friends who were believers. About the time that I first heard this song three of my best friends, as well as my brother, and my father-in-law and my dad were taken home to glory. So, this song was an encouragement to me at that time. I especially appreciate the words, "See over there, there's a mansion that's prepared just for me where I will live with my Savior eternally." What a thrill to have this assurance and hope.
Do you have this assurance? Is your name written in the Book of Life? If it is, you have nothing to dread. If it isn't, please accept the Lord as your Savior today
The timeless theme,
earth and heaven will pass away
It's 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 all the nations
bow down to see
The only sound is the praises
to Christ the 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
that's prepared just for me
Where I will live
with my Savior eternally
And there will be 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
© Word Music 1983
You can listen to David Phelps sing it here. NIGHT
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