Everybody Will Be Happy Over There

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

If you love hymns, you have probably heard “Everybody Will Be Happy Over There.” Written in 1921 by E. M. Barlett, the song has been played by gospel, country, and bluegrass musicians. Let’s take a look.

The song

There’s a happy land of promise over in the great beyond,
Where the saved of earth shall soon the glory share;
Where the souls of men shall enter and live on forevermore,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

The important thing about a journey is to know our destination. Keeping it in mind helps us with the in-between. What is the in-between? It’s the place where “stuff” happens. Where things change. Where we discover what we’re made of.

It is also the place we decide to keep moving forward or turn back. Journeys are not always easy. Every road trip, including our spiritual journeys, has a testing time that affects how we remember it.

Delays: sickness, life, financial hardship,
Dreams: shattered, forgotten, postponed
Prayers: waiting for years
Traffic Jams: things that keep us immobile

Although some travelers dislike detours, they are often necessary due to construction, mechanical trouble, missed turns, rest, hunger, or a teaching moment. Whether the trip is a dream or a nightmare, look for the nugget of truth.

Verse

Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, will be singing ’round the throne,
In that land where no one ever knows a care;
And the Christians of all ages will join in the triumph song,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

God deals with individuals and with families. If you are praying for loved ones. Know that He is working! One day, we will rejoice together.

Verse

We will hear nobody praying and no mourning in that land,
For no burdens there will be for ys to bear;
All the people will be singing, “Glory, glory to the Lamb,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

When we reach our destinations in this world, we unpack our luggage and set it aside. First Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” That includes our burdens. We may weep the entire journey, but joy comes in the morning when we step across Jordan!

Can you imagine? No, praying. No mourning. No burdens. God will wipe away our tears, and we will spend eternity praising His name.

Verse

There we’ll meet the One who saved us and who kept us by His grace,
And who bro’t us to that land so bright and fair;
We will praise His name forever as we look upon His face,
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

We will finally see our precious Travel Guide. The One who holds the map and directs the traffic. The One who sees the traffic jams and the road construction. The One who creates the rest stops and supplies the needed nourishment. The One who holds us. The One who keeps us. The One who redeemed us with His blood.

Jesus is the reason our heavenly destination is so important. He is also the reason why our earthly journey is important. If we don’t follow His map and get the in-between right, we will not reach the destination He’s planned for us. Let us hold His Map in front of us and keep our eyes on Heaven.

Chorus

Ev’rybody will be happy, will be happy over there,
We will shout and sing His praise;
Ev’rybody will be happy over there.

Happy travels, my friend!

Everybody Will Be Happy Over There | E. M. Barlett | Public Domain

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee (Isaiah 41:13 KJV).

I’m late. I should have posted yesterday, but I was struggling. Although I had the hymn and the idea, I couldn’t go with the usual post. And then it all came together last night. 😊

I wasn’t supposed to focus on the hymn’s history or the author’s life. I was to highlight the truth contained in the author’s words and encourage the reader. So if you are struggling with a problem and you feel you’re at the end of your rope, this one’s for you.

The Song

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand

Life is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand!

For I am the LORD, I change not (Malachi 3:6a).

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever, years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken,
Still more closely to him cling!

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5b).

Covet not this world’s vain riches,
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away!

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-22).

When your journey is completed,
If to God you have been true,
Fair and bright the home in glory,
Your enraptured soul will view!

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

(Chorus) Hold to God’s unchanging hand!
Hold to God’s unchanging hand!
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand!

Truth: Whatever situation we are in, God is a steadfast hold we can cling to in our hour of need. He will deliver us.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalm 27:13-14).

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand | Jennie Wilson | Public Domain

Video

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand by the Chicago Mass Choir

*Some words are different than the hymn.

He is Risen

/ Gail Johnson / 12 Comments

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you (Matthew 28:4-7 KJV).