There is something about this time of year when the daylight hours are noticeably shorter that moves me to sing evening hymns. One of my favorites is “The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended.”
It’s much more commonly sung in England than the US. Here it is sung at a VJ day service at St. Martin in the Fields, London.  

The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended
The darkness falls at Thy behest
To thee our morning hymns ascended
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

I don’t know why, but this beautiful hymn brings tears to my eyes. Maybe it’s because I have it listed as the last hymn for my funeral service. This is a hymn of hope in times of darkness. I’m thinking of the last verse in particular.

So be it, Lord, thy throne shall never
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever
’Til all thy creatures own thy sway.

Each of us and everything we have known and treasured in this earthly life will pass away, but the Kingdom of God remains forever. We can look forward to eternity with God.

People have asked me what heaven will be like. Will my little dog be there? I don’t know any of the details, just that we will be with God and that will be the only thing that is of importance to us. That will be bliss.

Until then, may the praise of God sanctify our rest.

Read Psalm 4:1 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne