They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. Revelation 12:11a
I’ve known the hymn ‘We’ll Understand It Better By And By ’in its entirety for well over 25 years. It’s one of my family’s top 5.
Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways of God would lead us to that blessed promised land;
But he guides us with his eye,
And we’ll follow till we die,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.
| By and by, when the morning comes, When the saints of God are gathered home, We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome, For we’ll understand it better by and by. |
Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,
And our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;
And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best,
But we’ll understand it better by and by.
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In 1991 I tried to understand while and after singing it during my grandma’s burial. I couldn’t.
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In 1992 during my mum’s funeral, it didn’t make sense at all but I memorized the words anyway and sang weeping uncontrollably.
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In 1998, my grandpa with whom I spent a lot of time passed. That was beyond the limits and confused me the more yet I kept singing. See, I’ve never lost my PRAISE!
God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. Genesis 1:5
The evening has to pass (expire) before the morning can come (begin). The old has to go so the new can come. The former has to make room for the latter. Get ready friend because like the breaking of dawn, your breaking news shall be heard!
There is wisdom in the writings of the ancient:
Weeping may ENDURE (prevail or persist) for a night BUT joy COMES (arrives or occurs) in the morning. Psalm 30:5
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 2 Peter 3:8
A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4
Whether a thousand years or watch in the night, by and by; before long, eventually, ultimately, or finally, you will tell your story.
A story contains details and specifics of an act or occurrence or course of events. Events are significant circumstances that happen at particular places and times. Places and times are key components of events.
There is a season for everything and a time for every event under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
I don’t know what, when, and where you’ve been through but I know there’s a purpose for it. To give you a story – a testimony!
Everybody has a story, some sort of history, or chronicle of accounts. Every part of your story is important. There is nothing you have been through that’s a waste. It might be complicated but it’s complete. It might have very little or many reference points but that’s alright. It may not be common or predictable because it’s unique to you. Some people might not take interest in it, but many others would pay to read, view or hear it. Another interesting thing about stories is you recall past memories in order to tell them. Your mind comes alive with a story.
I know in journalism, reporters often highlight developing stories to enlighten and update the public but they don’t quite captivate and satisfy like a complete story. Just as half-cooked foods are detrimental to the body, so can semi-complete stories be to an audience. You’ve got to wait for an atmospheric and seasonal shift to occur before you tell it. Let it come together before you share.
You might be pleased to know:
The night is far advanced, and day is about to dawn. Romans 13:12a
Get ready to testify, to TELL the STORY of how you OVERCAME!