"THERE ARE LIGHTS BY THE SHORE"
"...But now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" (Eph. 5.8)
INTRO.: A hymn which indicates that the church is made up people who are lights is "There Are Lights By The Shore" (#412 in Sacred Selections for the Church). The text was written by Josephine Pollard (1834-1892). Some of her other songs which have appeared in our books include "Beyond the Sunset's Radiant Glow" and "Joy Bells Ringing, Children Singing." The tune was composed by E. Roberts. I have been able to find no further information about the composer or the song's background. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, it appeared in the 1937 Great Songs of the Church No. 2 edited by E. L. Jorgenson. Today it is found to my knowledge only in Sacred Selections.
The song encourage us to be lights to others even as others have been lights to us.
I. Stanza 1 talks about the need for lights amid perils
"There are lights by the shore of that country,
Where my bark amid perils I steer;
And they ever grow brighter and brighter,
As that glorious haven I near."
A. Some of the lights that shine by the shore of that country are those righteous who are now among that great cloud of witnesses and serve as examples of faith to us: Heb. 12.1, 13.7
B. "That country" toward which we are steering our barks would be the land of everlasting life: Matt. 7.13-14
C. These lights ever grow brighter as we draw nearer and nearer to the haven where our anchor has been cast: Heb. 6.19-20
II. Stanza 2 talks about the need for lights to brighten the way
"There are lights by the shore as we journey,
As we float down the river of time;
All the days of our pilgrimage brighten
With a radiance truly sublime."
A. Some of the lights that shine by the shore as we journey are those faithful saints who are still alive and hold forth the word of life:
Phil. 2.15-16
B. These lights are helpful as we float down the river of time toward the eternal river of the waters of life: Rev. 22.1-2
C. Such lights provide some encouragement to brighten our days as strangers and pilgrims on earth: Heb. 11.13
III. Stanza 3 talks about the need for lights to cheer us
"O they tell of a hope that will cheer us
In the midst of our sorrows and cares,
When the lamp on our vessel burns dimly,
And we watch for the glimmer of theirs."
A. The lights of the saints, both here and in the heavenly realms, tell of hope: Rom. 8.24-25
B. Their message reminds us that we can be of good cheer because Christ has overcome the world: Jn. 16.33
C. Thus, at times when the lamp on our vessel burns dimly, we can look to those who walk after God's rule and follow their example: Phil. 3.16-17
IV. Stanza 4 talks about our need to be lights for others
"Then forget not your light, keep it shining:
O Christian, be earnest and true,
For a soul on life's ocean may perish--
May sink in the waves but for you."
A. Since we can be encouraged by the lights of others, we must also keep our lights so shining before men: Matt.5.14-16
B. To do so, we need to be earnest and true, because only those who are faithful until death will receive the crown of life: Rev. 2.10
C. Since others may be looking to our lights to keep them from sinking in the waves of life's ocean, we need to look to our own example: 1 Tim. 4.12
CONCL.: The chorus reminds us of the importance of lights, both looking at the lights of others and letting our own lights shine for others:
"O the lights along the shore That never grow dim,
Never, never grow dim,
Are the souls that are aflame With the love of Jesus' name,
And they guide us, yes, they guide us unto Him."
Thanks be to God that we do not have to sail on the perilous ocean of life all by ourselves. We can look to others whose words and lives will encourage us. Therefore, as we journey toward our heavenly home, it is good to know that "There Are Lights By the Shore."