During one of the seminars at the retreat, after a brief overview of what is going on in all the mission fields in the Asia-Pacific region, one of the missionaries from Taiwan played this song and shared some thoughts that really encouraged me. “This is My Father’s World” is a hymn that sometimes seems very sweet and gentle, like a lullaby. Judy was sharing though, that sometimes the world seems so dark, and the devil’s power so strong, that we need to just belt it out from the rooftops, to remind ourselves and others that this truly is our Father’s world and He has dominion. He has won the battle for it through Christ’s blood and we can live without fear. I have since thought of this song almost every day and found encouragement in the tuths that are in the lyrics, especially the third verse:
1. This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
2. This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
he shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.
3. This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
That’s interesting – I’ve never seen that version of the third verse. I actually like the one I’m familiar with better:
This is my Father’s world;
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world;
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and heav’n be one.