HERE IS A BLESSED LAND (#591), a Hymn Devotion for Wednesday before Easter, 16April 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide 

2 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. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

     For those pilgrims who seek after a better city, this hymn is well directed. Its author is Sir Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) to the tune, Beulah, written in1861 by George M. Garrett and sung over the author’s grave at burial. It is both a hymn of longing and of exultant expectation. 

 THERE IS A BLESSED HOME BEYOND THE LAND OF WOE 

1 There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe,

 Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow; 

 Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned, 

 And everlasting light its glory casts around

 2 There is a land of peace, good angels know it well; 

 Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell. 

 Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore 

 Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore. 

 3 O joy all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died, 

 And count each sacred wound in hands and feet and side; 

 To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won, 

 And sing through endless days the great things he has done! 

 4 Look up, you saints of God, nor fear to tread below 

 The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe: 

 Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love. 

 His own most gracious smile will welcome you above.

 1 There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe, Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow; Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned, And everlasting light its glory casts around. The child has lived apart from his Holy Father in Heaven in times of old prior to being called from his alienation by the Holy spirit to the Throne of Grace and Mercy. Having been made alive to that realization of his hope and security in Christ, he is homesick for that Father who has given him the riches of Heaven on earth, yet, he longs to be at the very side of His Lord in those opulent mansions of His making. In this life, he is a pilgrim and a sojourner but has his inheritance on High. A pilgrim travels lightly for he seeks after a better home. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” Hebrews 11:13-14

 2 There is a land of peace, good angels know it well; Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell. Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore. The good angels, not those fallen with Lucifer, are agents and spirits of righteousness that execute God’s will in the lives of the elect. We are all children in God’s eye, and we have the comfort of His oversight: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 There is, at this very moment as we read, the saints of ages past gathered about the Throne of God in adulation of the Triune Godhead – mothers, fathers, and children (even those who were conceived yet never saw the first sunrise. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it jinto the earth. Revelations 8:3-5

 3 O joy all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died, And count each sacred wound in hands and feet and side; To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won, And sing through endless days the great things he has done!” That grand old saint, Fanny Crosby, blind from infancy, filled her wonderful hymns of faith with visions of Christ – visions which we who have eyes are often blind to see. In her glorious hymn, My Savior First of All, Mrs. Crosby laments, and so shall we at the appointed hour:

 “I shall know Him, ( Ishall know Him), I shall know Him, 

And redeemed by His side I shall stand;

 “I shall know Him (I shall know Him), I shall know Him 

By the prints of the nails in His hand.” 

 4 Look up, you saints of God, nor fear to tread below The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe: Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love. His own most gracious smile will welcome you above. The time of our Lord second coming is a mystery to us and to all except the Father; however, He has given us signs by which we may contemplate His soon appearing: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28 We may look about and see many of God’s prophecy presently fulfilled; however, let us not dwell in wonder of the time of His coming, for we may be led to complacency of spirit – let us live each moment as if He were appearing this very day with the armies of Heaven in trail. We have taken up our crosses and must follow Christ in that same Way in which He trod the shores of Galilee in helping and healing; the verdant pastures of the Jordan valley in preaching and teaching; and on the Via Dolorosa to the cross at Calvary in dying to self and living for God and others. Another verse of Crosby’s reads:

 “When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide,

 When the bright and glorious morning I shall see, 

“I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, 

And His smile will be the first to welcome me.”

 And so be it for all who know Him now as Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and King.