The Sweet By and By

“In My Father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you … if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”—John 14:2–3

Joseph Webster had a peculiar temperament. Although a committed Christian, he could be subject to depression. One day he seemed particularly moody when he visited Stewart Bennett’s drugstore. When Bennett asked what the problem was, Webster responded, “It’s no matter. It will be all right by and by.”

Bennett recognized the spiritual insight of this comment. Working together, the two men collaborated on a hymn that soon gained popularity worldwide, “The Sweet By and By.”

Thinking about the destiny of believers, they described “a land that is fairer than day.” It’s a land we can see by faith. It is a place God has prepared for us, and we will “meet on that beautiful shore.”

Our life in eternity will be filled with joy. We will sing “the melodious songs of the blest.” There will be no sorrow. Instead, our time will be filled with praise. We will give gratitude to the Father “for the glorious gift of His love and the blessings that hallow our days.”

This hymn reminds us that Jesus promised to prepare a place for us. We may endure temporary problems here but will spend eternity with Him. We will have perspective on all the things we have gone through.

Remember that God has an eternal view of everything in the world and your life. Remember that Jesus has prepared a place for you. You can trust your life to Him.

Reflection Question: How can you remind yourself of the eternal perspective?