He Knows

I know not what awaits me,
God kindly veils mine eyes,
And o’er each step of my onward way
He makes new scenes to rise;
And every joy He sends me, comes
A sweet and glad surprise.

Refrain:
Where He may lead me I’ll follow,
My trust in Him repose,
And every hour in perfect peace
I’ll sing, He knows, He knows;
And every hour in perfect peace
I’ll sing, He knows, He knows.

One step I see before me,
’Tis all I need to see,
The light of Heav’n more brightly shines,
When earth’s illusions flee;
And sweetly through the silence, came
His loving “Follow Me.”

Oh, blissful lack of wisdom,
’Tis blessed not to know;
He holds me with His own right hand,
And will not let me go,
And lulls my troubled soul to rest
In Him Who loves me so.

So on I go not knowing,
I would not if I might;
I’d rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I’d rather walk in faith with Him
Than go alone by sight.

Although I was very familiar with the author of this hymn, Phillip Blliss, I was unfamiliar with this particular hymn.  Hymns that are probably more familiar to you that Mr. Bliss wrote include “Jesus Loves Even Me,” “Wonderful Words of Life,” “Hallelujah, What a Savior,” and he also wrote the music to the classic hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.”  Mr. Bliss died in a tragic accident at the age of 38.  During the Christmas season in 1876, Mr. Bliss and his wife were returning home from visiting relatives.  The train they were riding on collapsed on a bridge near Ashtabula, Ohio, and they plunged down a 60 foot ravine.  Mr. Bliss survived the initial accident, but returned to the train to try and save his wife, but perished with her in the fire.  Their bodies were never recovered.  Over 100 people perished in this accident.  For relatives of Mr. Bliss and the other families on the train, I am sure they had many questions for years to come.  I think the words of this hymn were written for situations exactly this tragic one.  Words of encouragement for believers to grasp that although we don’t fully understand, we can trust that God knows about our problems and struggles and that God is good, all the time.

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “God kindly veils my eyes” – This particular line really drew me to this hymn.  I feel like I am a child sometimes who wants to see God’s plan unveiled before me.  I want to know the resolution of certain problems or situations in my life or other’s lives.  Sometimes I even stomp my feet, like a child throwing a tantrum, telling God to tell me what’s going on.  But God, like a loving parent, kindly veils my eyes.  There are certain things I may not be mature enough to handle.  There are things I just cannot understand.  And rather than expose me to these harsh realities, God kindly and lovingly puts His arm around me and covers my eyes.  And like Phillip Bliss reminded us, I have to trust He knows what He is doing.

• “‘Tis blessed not to know” – Have you ever heard the phrase “Ignorance is bliss?” Have you ever been in that place where it was better to not know than it was to know?  It seems odd that intellectual creatures like ourselves like to have the facts, but there are many times in our journey where knowing is worse than being in the dark.  I love how the author phrases this here because he says, almost like a beatitude, “Blessed is the man who does not know.”  I would add to this simple phrase to that thought with “for God is with the man who walks in faith.”

• “I’d rather walk in faith with Him, than go alone in sight” – The Bible says “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”  The author reminds us we have two really simple choices – two distinct paths to follow.  Do we choose the path of understanding and “sight” and go wherever that road may lead?  Or do we say, I will walk by faith with God holding my hand leading me step-by-step with full confidence that God knows what He is doing and where He is going?  It is a simple choice.  Not an easy choice all the time, but a simple choice nonetheless. 

If you are a parent, do you remember singing songs to your babies?  Sweet lullabies to soothe your children?  The funny thing about lullabies is that it really doesn’t matter what words you sing, the comfort you give your child comes from your touch, from your holding them, and from the sweetness of your voice.  The baby has no idea what you are saying, but the lullaby works anyway.

In the third verse of this song, the author states that God “lulls” his troubled soul to rest.  He doesn’t say that God tells him everything.  He doesn’t say that he has reached the point where he fully understands.  No, the simple touch from the Lord, the truth that God is holding him, and that he can hear God’s voice provides that comfort and his soul can find rest.

If you are troubled today, can I encourage you to pray a simple prayer?  Can you ask God to hold you, to rock you, and to sing you a sweet lullaby?  The Bible says in Deuteronomy 1:31  “There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”  I get the mental picture of a father holding his child close to his chest.  Two arms wrapped around him.  Talking to his son or daughter in their ear in a sweet and loving tone.  I pray that you let God carry you today, and that the God of all comfort would comfort you in your time of trouble, and that he will “lull your troubled soul to rest.”