Prelude:

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day. – ESV 

Born in the shadow and grip of Adam’s curse,

Men grope their way through life’s mist.

Twilight has passed and we’re waiting for morning,

Will we find a world that’s bathed and sun-kissed? 

We all need the light-divine in our lives,

So why do we run when it comes?

We search and we wait and we pray for the morning,

But closer and nearer—we count the great sums.

The great sums of the cost that will be the unfolding,

The greatest unveiling of all.

For when the Light comes and shines down upon us,

He’ll see every sin—and lay on us a call.

A call to repentance—a hatred for evil,

A war we must wage with our very own flesh.

Can we do this feat, can we change our allegiance,

When body, soul, spirit so greatly enmesh?

We can! It is simply a matter of choosing,

The rest we put into the hands of the Lord,

For the work is not ours but His very own doing,

Our eyes fixed on the goal we’re running toward.

Yes, we have work and a very long journey,

But God gives us strength on the way.

And as we move forward we see all the beauty,

Unveiled for us by the light of the day. 

We look at the mountains in awesome grandeur,

The flowers in full bloom on the hill.

Their beauty makes easy the toil of their climbing,

The victory our hearts with ecstasy fill.

Mounting their crests we peer down on the valley,

A longing so deep in our chest.

A mixture of beauty and hardship await us,

We do not know if we’re cursed or we’re blessed.

 But even in valleys the Lord’s hand does guide us,

And nothing do we need to fear.

When we are in murky and dark lands abiding,

His scintillation brings peace and makes clear.

He makes clear for us the road we must travel,

Even when danger does lurk. 

His Spirit is in us and always will spur us,

For His pleasure and good will to work.

Though it’s for Him that we toil and labor,

He does give us more in return.

There are pleasures forever, right there beside Him,

For all of eternity—have no concern.

Those pleasures are for us, if we have been faithful,

When He calls us on that great day.

Well done will He say to all of His servants,

Day without fail we have come all the way.