Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 47

Beyond the Sunset – Blindness Transcended by Spiritual Sight

Virgil Block (1887-1978), a Quaker pastor, wrote more than five hundred gospel songs. His best-known hymn, “Beyond the Sunset,” was inspired by a beautiful sunset “witnessed” by a blind Christian. He recounted as follows:

“This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table, after watching a very beautiful sunset at Winona Lake, Indiana, with a blind guest – my cousin Horace Burr and his wife Grace. A large area of the water appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet threatening storm clouds were gathering overhead.

Returning to our home, we talked about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind guest excitedly remarked that he had never seen a more beautiful sunset. ‘People are always amazed when you talk about seeing,’ I told him. ‘I can see,’ Horace replied. ‘I see through other people’s eyes, and I think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.’ The phrase, ‘beyond the sunset’ and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures.

‘That’s beautiful!’ his wife interrupted. ‘Please go to the piano and sing it.’

We went to the piano and completed the first verse…Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.”

 

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning

When with our Saviour heav’n is begun

Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning –

Beyond the sunset, when day is done.

 

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,

No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;

O day of gladness, O day unending –

Beyond the sunset, eternal day!

 

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me

To God the Father, whom I adore;

His glorious presence, His words of welcome,

Will be my portion on that fair shore.

 

Beyond the sunset, I glad reunion

With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;

In that fair homeland, we’ll know no parting –

Beyond the sunset, forever more! 

[Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy].

 

(2) Testimony of God’s Love (Psalm 116)

The psalmist shared his personal testimony of God’s goodness. He expressed his gratitude for God’s deliverance in times of great affliction and re-consecrated himself to love the Lord even more for all the good things that he has received from the Lord.

(a) LOVE EXPRESSED (v1-2)

1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The psalmist testified that God answers prayer. He has experienced God’s love in his life and he expressed his revived heart to love the Lord even more in the days ahead.

(b) GOD’S LOVE EXPERIENCED (v3-8)

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.

The psalmist recalled a near-death experience (v3) and its accompanying distress. It was described as hell. He called upon the Lord who heard his cry.

He described God’s character for which he extolled – God is gracious, righteous and merciful! Indeed the LORD was the psalmist’s ready helper.

In our affliction, we are tempted to lose heart and faith, blame God and become despondent. The psalmist trusted God and was bountiful rewarded with peace and joy in his heart. Likewise, we are to put our trust in the Lord who will deliver us. 

(c) LOVE’S RESOLVE (v12-19)

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the LORD’S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

When we are blessed of God, our response must be one of gratefulness. The psalmist resolved in his heart to testify of God’s goodness. He knew it is the right thing to do. He said that indeed he would be a servant to repay his Master’s goodness.

CONCLUSION

May the Lord help us to be grateful and serve Him all the days of our lives!

 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee