I Shall Know Him!

One of my all time favorite hymn writers is Fanny Crosby. She is the blind American poetess of more than 8,000 sacred hymns. Fanny Crosby wrote on a great variety of many subjects but the themes of heaven and the return of Christ seem to have been her favorites. At the age of eight, she wrote these words:

Oh, what a happy soul am I!

Although I cannot see,

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy

That other people don't;

To weep and sigh because I'm blind,

I cannot, and I won't.

Once she was talking with a Scottish minister and he remarked to her, "I think it is a great pity that the Master, when He showered so many gifts upon you, did not give you sight." Without hesitation, she rebuked, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition to my Creator, it would have been that I should be born blind?" "Why?" asked the surprised clergyman. "Because, when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior." Later, Crosby penned the words to one of my favorite hymns:

My Savior First of All

When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,

When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;

I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,

And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;

How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace,

That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I Shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,

And our parting at the river I recall;

To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home;

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,

He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;

In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight;

But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.