From Glory Unto Glory

The libraries of the world are filled with books which are, in turn, filled with information.

It has been said that a weekly edition of the New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in an entire lifetime in seventeenth-century England.  One source says that there are 300,000 new book titles and more than 9000 periodicals published every year.

Standing out in the midst of the sea of information is one book that has benefited mankind in more ways than can be measured. It contains all that we need to know about life and how to live it as our Creator intended (2 Timothy 3.16,17). While this book is a veritable treasure chest of helpful information for life today, it contains basic information that is essential to being assured of life eternal.

The great challenges of the world, our society and indeed our very own hearts are largely unmet because those who seek to meet them are suckling at the paps of human wisdom and speculation.  Sadly,  even many of the redeemed frequent that same source of nourishment … which is, in fact, no nourishment at all.

Those who eschew the wisdom of this world in favor of a daily meal from the Word of God will most surely find a rich feast, in the words of Frances Ridley Havergal:

 Our own belovèd Master “hath many things to say.”

Look forward to His teaching, unfolding day by day;

To whispers of His Spirit, to insight clear and sweet,

To blessèd consolation, while resting at His feet.

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” Our faith hath seen the King.

We own His matchless beauty, adoringly we sing;

But He hath more to show us! O thought of untold bliss!

And on we press rejoicing in blessèd hope to this:—

 

To marvelous outpourings of ‘treasures new and old,’

To largess of His bounty, paid in the King’s own gold,

To glorious expansion of mysteries of grace,

To radiant unveilings of brightness from His face.

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” What great things He hath done,

What wonders He hath shown us, what triumphs He hath won!

We marvel at the record of blessings of the year!

But sweeter still than Christmas rings out His promise clear—

 

That “greater things,” far greater, our longing eyes shall see!

We can but wait and wonder what “greater things” shall be!

But glorious fulfillments rejoicingly we claim,

While pleading in the power of His prevailing Name.

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” What mighty blessings crown

The lives for which our Lord hath laid His own so freely down!

Omnipotence to keep us, omniscience, too, to guide,

Jehovah’s blessèd presence within us to abide!

 

The fullness of His blessing encompasseth our way;

The fullness of His promise crowns every brightening day;

The fullness of His glory is beaming from above,

While more and more we realize the fullness of His love.

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” Without a shade of care,

Because the Lord Who loves us will every burden bear;

Because we trust Him fully, and know that He will guide,

And know that He will keep us at His belovèd side.

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” Though tribulation fall,

It cannot touch our treasure, when Christ is All in All!

Whatever lies before us, there can be naught to fear,

For what are pain and sorrow when Jesus Christ is near?

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” O marvels of the Word!

“With open face beholding the glory of the Lord,”

We, even we (O wonder!) “are changed into the same,”

The image of our Savior, to glorify His Name.

 

Abiding in His presence, and walking in the light,

And seeking to do always what is “pleasing in His sight”;

We look to Him to keep us “all glorious within,”

Because the blood of Jesus is cleansing from all sin.

 

The things behind forgetting, we only gaze before

“From Glory unto Glory,” that “shineth more and more,”

Because our Lord hath said it, that such shall be our way,

(O splendor of the promise!) “unto the perfect day.”

 

“From Glory unto Glory!” Our fellow travelers still

Are gathering on the journey! The bright electric thrill

Of quick, instinctive union, more frequent and more sweet,

Shall swiftly pass from heart to heart in true and tender beat.

 

And closer yet, and closer, the golden bonds shall be,

Enlinking all who love our Lord in pure sincerity;

And wider yet, and wider, shall circling glory glow,

As more and more are taught our God’s mighty love to know.

 

O ye who seek the Savior, look up in faith and love;

Come up into the sunshine, so bright and warm above!

No longer tread the valley, but, clinging to His hand,

Ascend the shining summits and view the glorious land.

 

Our harp notes should be sweeter, our trumpet tones more clear,

Our anthems ring so grandly that all the world must hear!

O royal be our music, for who hath cause to sing

Like choruses of saved ones, the children of the King?

 

O, let our adoration for all that He hath done

Peal out beyond the heavens, while voice and life are one;

And let our consecration be real, and deep, and true.

O even now our hearts bow, and joyful vows renew!

 

“In full and glad surrender we give ourselves to Thee,

Thine utterly, and only, and evermore to be!

O Son of God, who lov’st us, we will be Thine alone,

Our being and possessions, shall henceforth be Thine own!”

 

Now onward, ever onward, “from strength to strength” we go,

While “grace for grace” abundant shall from His fullness flow,

To glory’s full fruition, from glory’s foretaste here,

Until His very presence crown happiest New Year.