Sing aloud to God, our strength;
He has brought us hitherto;
He will bring us home at length;
This the Lord our God will do.
Doubt not, for His Word is stable;
Fear not, for His arm is able.
A Christian went abroad for the purpose of encouraging some fellow-believers in their love and service to our Savior, the Lord Jesus. After landing from the steamer, he was making his way to call on one of the families, when he heard a well-known tune being sung. It reminded him of the words given above. The thankful feelings in his heart for a safe journey could be expressed in the language of this hymn and he was encouraged to continue trusting in God for the rest of the journey before him.
Away off in her home his mother was waiting anxiously for word of a safe voyage. In order to save time he sent her a message by cable. As you know, such messages have to be shortened to save expense. A code would have been of little use to his mother, because she had no key.
How do you think he solved the difficulty? The cablegram reached its destination, and when his mother opened it she read her son’s name, the name of the seaport where he landed, and in between just this: “HYMN 242.” She quickly read the words we have just quoted, and gave thanks to God, knowing that the journey had been prospered thus far.
Another Christian and his family went to another continent on a similar errand. The day before they sailed a number of Christians met together to pray for them. Before prayer was offered, one of those present asked if they might sing the hymn,
“Sing aloud to God, our strength.”
More recently there was a family reunion on the grandmother’s birthday, because on that day she was ninety years old. Just before going home they sang a hymn. What one do you think it was? Yes, and how sweet the words sounded,
“Sing aloud to God, our strength.”
The traveler of ninety years could look back with thankfulness for abundant mercies; the sons and daughters were thankful for the priceless possession of a godly mother, and no doubt the grandchildren were encouraged, too.
Happy and prosperous is a journey undertaken in the fear of the Lord. The traveler starts trusting in God. As he moves on he sees how great is God’s care for him. When near the end, whether the voyage has been long or short, he confesses that God’s strength has been his support at all times and stages; he can raise his voice and we hear these words:
“Sing aloud to God, our strength.”
“I am persuaded that neither death, nor life nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38, 3938For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39).