Some Golden Daybreak

"Some Golden Daybreak" by C. A. Blackmore
1. Some glorious morning sorrow will cease.
Some glorious morning all will be peace.
Heartaches all ended, school days all done -
Heaven will open–Jesus will come.

2. Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright.
Goodbye forever to earth’s dark night.
Changed in a moment, like Him to be.
Oh, glorious daybreak, Jesus I’ll see.

3. Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies.
No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes.
Loved ones united eternally.
Oh, what a daybreak that morning will be.

chorus: Some golden daybreak Jesus will come.
Some golden daybreak, battles all won.
He’ll shout the victory, break through the blue -
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.

This hymn is fairly new to me but has quickly become one of my favorites. Anticipation of the return of Jesus and the hope of heaven give great stability and encouragement as we go through this life. I can think of four major reasons for which we ought to long for heaven.

“Jesus I’ll see.”

First, we will be united with our Savior. We will see face to face the one who loves us better than anyone else, the one who suffered and died to give us eternal life. We will finally be able to see Him, enjoy His presence, and worship Him forever.

“Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies.”  “Loved ones united eternally.”

Second, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone before. Those who have lost a spouse, parent, or child find this hope especially sweet. It is a blessing to know that goodbyes here on this earth are not forever when both people know Jesus as Savior.

“Sorrow will cease.”  “All will be peace.”  “Heartaches all ended.”  “Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright. Goodbye forever to earth’s dark night.”  “No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes.” “Battles all won.”

Third, we will be free from the troubles of this broken world. This is the most mentioned aspect in Mr. Blackmore’s hymn and seems to be the facet most often mentioned by God’s people. While some might view this as a somewhat selfish hope of those desiring to escape hardship, it is a legitimate hope that is presented in numerous Bible passages.

“School days all done.”  “Changed in a moment, like Him to be.”

Fourth, we will be free from this body of death that struggles to learn and grow. This aspect has come to be more and more meaningful to me, and I want to focus on it for a moment. I am reminded of Paul’s battle in Romans 7, in which he wanted so earnestly to do the right thing, yet his flesh fought against him, and he often failed. I think also of James 1:3-4 (among other passages) that make it clear that the trials we face in life are designed to grow us in godliness. They are teaching times that are designed to mature and mold us into the image of Christ.

I love the phrase from the hymn, “School days all done,” and not in a humorous way as a teacher; I love it because it offers a longed-for hope that so accurately reflects life. Learning is not always easy; some of the lessons of Christian growth are, in fact, very challenging. Not learning the lessons, however, is not the answer. It is frustrating to try to do a job or live life without having learned the necessary foundation and skills. Just like in school, the lessons provide necessary preparation for life, but in light of how much there is to learn and my difficulty in learning, I do long for “graduation.” While it is too long to post here, one of my favorite original poems deals with this concept.

"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” I John 3:2 (NASB)