WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN!

liza E. Hewitt, 1851–1920 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:17, 18) For the child of God, the end of this earthly pilgrimage is just the beginning of a glorious new life. This glorious hope revives our courage for the way, When each in expectation lives and longs to see the day When from sorrow, toil, pain and sin, we shall be free, And perfect love and joy shall reign throughout all eternity. —John Fawcett Our services of worship even now should be a foretaste of that day of rejoicing when those from every tribe, language, people, and nation see our Lord and together “we’ll sing and shout the victory.” The author of this hymn text, Eliza Hewitt, a school teacher in Philadelphia, was another Christian lay worker deeply devoted to the Sunday school movement during the latter half of the 19th century. Like many of the other gospel song writers of this time, Eliza wrote her songs with the goal of reaching and teaching children with the truths of the gospel. She often attended the Methodist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It was here that she collaborated with Emily Wilson, wife of a Methodist District Superintendent in Philadelphia, in the writing of this popular gospel hymn, a favorite of both young and old alike. It was first published in 1898. The anticipation of heaven has often been described as the oxygen of the human soul. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing His mercy and His grace; in the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place. While we walk the pilgrim pathway clouds will over-spread the sky; but when trav’ling days are over not a shadow, not a sigh. Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving ev’ry day; just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay. Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; soon the pearly gates will open—We shall tread the streets of gold. Chorus: When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory. For Today: Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 35:10; John 14:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57 Allow your imagination to anticipate that day in heaven when the entire family of God is gathered for an endless celebration of praise. Allow this glorious hope to brighten your day and to keep you “true, faithful, trusting, serving …” Sing this musical truth as you go— Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996), 100.