Sunday, July 14, 2019 pm
STUDIES FROM SONGS
“Will Jesus Find Us Watching
#637, Sacred Selections
From time to time we examine the message of various songs we sing.
Tonight, I would like to examine a song that a message frequently
addressed in our singing – the day of Judgment.
Today, I would like to examine the song, Will Jesus Find Us
Watching.
Background on this song is minimal.
It was written by Fanny J. Crosby and put to music by William
Howard Doane. The song was
first published in 1876, and is found in most hymnals edited by
brethren.
As
always, our interest is in examining the message of this song to help us
as we “teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs.” (Colossians 3:16)
As mentioned, this is a song about our Lord returning and us
being prepared. What is
interesting about this song is the number of Biblical references it
makes. We will notice these
as we examine this song.
a.
When Jesus comes to
reward His servants
– He IS returning (John 14:3).
Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds…”
Matthew 16:27 when the Son of Man comes, He will reward each
according to his works.
b.
Whether it be noon or
night – a
reminder that we do not know WHEN He will return.
2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, etc.
This song mentions various times of the day throughout.
The point being, we do not know the day or the hour when He will
return. And He said as much
(Matthew 24:36).
Worthy of note, while we do not know the exact hour, it will be whatever
time of day somewhere. For
some it will be midnight, while for others it will be noon, morning and
evening.
c.
Faithful to Him will He find us watching, with our lamps all trimmed and
bright?
Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
The parable implies that trimmed lamps mean we are prepared and
ready. At the conclusion of
this parable, Jesus reminds us to watch because we don’t know when He is
coming.
a.
If at the dawn or the
early morning, He shall call us one by one – on the day of judgment, we will each be called upon to
answer for ourselves - 2 Corinthians 5:10.
While judgment will appear to all, it will be a very individual
thing. John 5:28-29.
Books will be opened… Revelation 20:12-15
b.
When to the Lord we
restore our talents, will He answer thee, “Well done”?
This is a reference to the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30.
A parable in which Jesus describes how we all have abilities and
we will be judged by how we manage what we have been entrusted with.
a.
Have we been true to the
trust He left us?
The idea of
being true is to be genuine or unhypocritical.
1 Peter 4:10, we are to be as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul described his work as “approved by God to be
entrusted with the gospel…”
God expects us to be faithful and use our talents wisely.
b.
Do we seek to do our
best?
God always demands the best of us.
He doesn’t want second place, or half-hearted effort.
That is borne out throughout the New Testament – 2 Timothy 2:15 –
be diligent to present yourselves approved unto God;
2 Peter 1:10 speaks of being even more diligent to make our calling and
election sure.
Hebrews 4:11, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest
anyone fall…”
c.
If in our lives, there is naught condemns us, we shall have a glorious
rest –
When we stand before Him, we need to be pure.
Striving to live for Him.
Revelation 2:10 speaks of being faithful until death.
1 John 1:6-7 – we need to be walking in the light as He is in
the light…
We also need to have been living our lives for Him and obtaining
forgiveness when we do sin – 1 John 1:9 – if we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
NOTE: Sacred Selections changed the wording from “If in our hearts,
there is naught…” While that
could lead to questionable conclusions (e.g. as long as we are sincere,
etc.), it is also a Biblical concept – 1 John 3:20-21 speaks of our
hearts condemning us.
Obviously, BOTH our lives and our heart need to be true to Him.
a.
Blessed are those whom
the Lord finds watching
– a recurring theme of
this song is a call to watch.
We are warned not to be flippant about His return – 2 Peter
3:3-4.
Consider Matthew 24:45-51 where Jesus pointedly warns against the one
who puts off being faithful thinking they have plenty of time.
1 Peter 4:7, But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be
serious and watchful in your prayers.
b.
In His glory they shall
share –
our ultimate goal is to spend eternity in heaven with Him.
Again think of the faithful servants in the parable of the
talents, “Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – we shall always be with the Lord.
c.
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, will He find us watching there.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-7, again we find our final admonition in the
verses – will He find us watching and ready.
a.
In a good song, the
chorus drives home the message being presented.
That is what we have in this song.
b.
O can we say we are
ready, brother? Ready for the soul’s bright home?
c.
Say will He find you and
me still watching,? Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?
This song is one that exhorts the Christian to remain faithful, the
fallen brother to return to God, and the unbelieve to change his status
by obeying the gospel. What
about you? Are you ready for
the Lord to return? Think about
it.