Good Night and Good Morning
When comes to the weary a blessèd release,
When upward we pass to His kingdom of peace,
When free from the woes that on earth we must bear,
We’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.
CHORUS
Good morning up there where Christ is the Light,
Good morning up there where cometh no night;
When we step from this earth to God’s Heaven so fair,
We’ll say “good night” here but “good morning” up there.
When fadeth the day and dark shadows draw nigh,
With Christ close at hand, it is not death to die;
He’ll wipe every tear, roll away every care;
We’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.
When home lights we see shining brightly above,
Where we shall be soon, through His wonderful love,
We’ll praise Him Who called us His Heaven to share,
We’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.
While visiting my wife’s aunt in Maryland, she mentioned to me a song she remembered her grandmother singing to her when she was little. Although she only remembered a few words of the song, I searched online and found the verses, the chorus, and the story behind this particular hymn written by Lizzie DeArmond from the 1920’s. Mrs. DeArmond wrote these words after the loss of her daughter. Here are her own words concerning this hymn:
“When God called my girl to live with Him, I felt I could not spare her, and it left an ache in my heart that was difficult to bear. The ever present, persistent question, “Why should my girl be taken?” became the overwhelming burden of my waking moments. Why should it be my child?
After several months of wrestling with this question, my health was affected and my faith clouded. Then one night, while I was pacing up and down on my lawn, there came me the words as if spoken from the sky: “We Chrisians do not sorrow without hope. We do have to say goodbye to our loved ones here, but we have that glorious hope of good morning over there.”
The message brought surcease from my sorrow, comfort for my heart, and stimulus to my faith. I hastened to my room where the poem took form. God gave me a song that has been a blessing in my life, as it will be to others who sorrow for loved ones.”
Once again, we find a hymn written about how God met someone during a difficult time. Those times when God shows up in the middle of a bad night, or when you are desiring for a better morning. He takes these tough experiences, and lets us know that He understands and cares for each of us during tough times like Mrs. DeArmond experienced.
Couple of comments on the lyrics:
- “It is not death to die” – At first reading, this line doesn’t make a lot of sense. Death is final. To die is to meet Death. Denying that death is not a reality is to live in “la-la” land. But I believe Mrs. DeArmond’s point is that as Christians, and only as Christians, death is not final. We will meet our loved ones again that have gone to Heaven before us. We will see grandparents, parents, and children in Heaven one day. We can encourage one another with these words. Without that hope, we would be people most miserable.
- “His Heaven to share” – It is hard to imagine exactly how beautiful and how perfect Heaven will be. Yes, there lots of hymns about heaven. Yes, the Bible has much to say about this place, but even with all of that information, we can’t really grasp how beautiful heaven must be. But it is even more amazing that God is sharing His heaven with us. Not only do we get forgiveness of sin – something that we did not deserve. But we get to share His heaven with Him forever. God doesn’t create anything 2nd rate. There is not a “bad side of town” in Heaven. It is a perfect place where we get to dwell forever. What an amazing thing!!!
This past week, my best friend and I both shared at the “His Hands Extended” devotion in Cleveland. Sean’s devotion topic was about the influence a praying grandfather and praying father had on his life. I spoke about a couple of quilts that my Granny and Grandmother had a part in creating for me and for my girls. Then my wife’s aunt, Margie Marshall, recalled a song being sung by her grandmother when she was very small. 60 years later she still has a memory of her grandmother and her singing this song.
So let me ask you today, what kind of memories are you building with your children and grandchildren? Are they memories of going certain places, or doing certain things? Are they memories of favorite meals or certain smells at Grandma’s house? Or are they memories of your Bible, going to church with you, hearing you pray, or singing an old hymn of faith? One of the important things about Christianity is the fact that it should be an inter-generational faith. Now, I don’t believe God has any grand-children – only children. Each of us have to accept Christ on our own. It is not inherited from our parents. But I also know that God intends for us to transmit our faith in Christ from one generation to another.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrews referred to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A faith in God found in the grandfather, the father, and the son. I pray that you have a burden for your children and grandchildren. A burden to tell them about Jesus, and about the “good morning” place He has prepared for those that believe in Him.