Last October was the 50th anniversary of the release of the well-known song “Because He Lives.” Bill and Gloria Gaither were celebrating the birth of their third child when these words came to their hearts and minds.
Most people today are least familiar with some of the lyrics of “Because He Lives.” Well-known people in Christian music have recorded their rendition of the song. Interestingly, Harry Connick Jr. did his own version of this famous Gaither hymn.
I love the closing words of this inspirational song. They are very memorable. “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives.”
As we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus our Lord, let us remember this hymn, and other ones, because they point to the important message that our Lord defeated death and He lives. Because of His Resurrection, our fear of death or anything in life is conquered.
Reportedly when William Sangster, an outstanding preacher of decades ago, was facing death, one of the effects of his muscular dystrophy disease had left him voiceless.
Prior to Sangster’s last Easter, he made a most significant declaration: “How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice to shout, ‘He is Risen’. Far worse, to have a voice and not want to shout.”
Sangster’s words long ago offer the essence of our way to celebrate the message of the Resurrection. Through song or personal confession we ought to use the voice God has given us to shout, “He is Risen.”
Rick Lance
Psalm 100
