If Heaven Was Never Promised To Me

As I've shared before, when my mother and I reunited after nine years, (28 years ago), we sat at her piano for hours that first couple of years singing our hearts out together to the Lord. I found myself awhile back humming one of the songs we sang so much,  If Heaven Was Never Promised To Me. I would like to share the words with you. . .

You may ask me why I serve the Lord,
Is it just for heaven's gain.
Or to walk those mighty streets of gold,
And to hear the angels sing.

Is it just to drink from the fountain,
That never shall run dry.
Or just to live forever, ever, and ever,
In that sweet, sweet bye and bye.

Chorus:
But if heaven never was promised to me,
Neither God's promise to live eternally.
It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
Living in a world of darkness,
You came along and brought me the light.

If there were never any streets of gold,
Neither a land where we'll never grow old,
It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
You've been my closest friend down through the years,
And every time I cry You dry my tears.

It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
Living in a world of darkness,
living in a world of darkness,
You came along and brought me the light.

My mother and I would talk about the words to this song and tears would stream down our faces as we realized, YES, we would still serve Him, we would still love Him, He would still be our All in All, even if Heaven was never promised. She and I both have been in dark places and it was Jesus who brought us the light. It was Jesus who has given us strength and courage and has guided us into all the right places and has blessed us with things we would have never discovered on our own. Forgiveness would never happen without Him, reconciliation would not have the joy without Him, depression could kill without Him, loneliness could be unbearable without Him. No one else keeps our tears and no one else knows the number of hairs on our head.

What else is there about Him?  Here are just a few. . .

He forgives

He is caring and compassionate

He fights for me

He will pass through the waters for me

His words are trustworthy

He shows unfailing kindness

He continues to love me when I am unlovable

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

He is faithful to His promises

He watches over my loved ones when I cannot

His right hand sustains me

He is my rock and my redeemer

He restores my soul

He drives out fear

He lifted me out of a slimy pit

He gives a peace that passes all understanding

He lights my path

His judgments are true and just

He heals the brokenhearted

His grace is sufficient for me

He teaches me to be content whatever the circumstances

He gives me rest when I am weary

He gave His Son as a ransom to set me free

He raised His Son from death to conquer and gain the victory

He is bigger than the storms

His love is based on His character and not my performance

He is a reconciler

He is a friend giver

He is a heart dweller

 

 I serve the Lord because I love Him! If Heaven was never promised to me, Yes, I would still serve Him, still love Him, still call Him my Lord and Savior. He has made my life worth living because of Who He is, not because of what I might gain after life.

But the sweet news is. . .There IS an eternal home and the one I'm going to is Heaven. That's a promise He has given to me in John 3:16 and it's just icing on the cake. But if the icing had never been there. . .I would have still taken the cake.