HYMNS AND THEIR STORIES – 14 “There’ll be light in the sky” Lyrics & Music: A.H. Ackley 1887–1960 Copyright: 1930 by Homer A. Rodeheaver

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ere is another hymn by Alfred H. Ackley, written more than thirty years before his death in 1960. Generally it is in later life that our thoughts turn to the close of our time on earth. When someone dies most often it is asked, “How much has he left?” The poignant answer to that is “everything!” We can take nothing with us, not even the cherished ring on our finger! The most important questions are therefore: “Where have they gone?” or “Where is that person now?”

1. There’ll be light in the sky from the palace on high, When I come to the end of the road. Sweet relief from all care will be waiting me there When I come to the end of the road. Chorus: When the long day is ended, the journey is o’er I shall enter that blessed abode; For the Saviour I love will be waiting for me When I come to the end of the road. 2. Every long weary mile I’ll recount with a smile When I come to the end of the road; And the foes that beset God will make me forget, When I come to the end of the road. 3. Just a gate open wide and a friend by my side When I come to the end of the road. That is all that I ask as a crown for my task When I come to the end of the road.

The Saviour emphasised that there is a hell to shun, and a heaven to gain. It is popularly thought that the entrance to heaven is obtained by living a good life. That is bad news, because none of us has ever lived a good life! We have all erred in thought, word and deed. The Bible tells us that “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). The Good News is that we are saved and forgiven not by how we lived, but through what the Lord Jesus did by His substitutionary death on the Cross – His death procured eternal life for us. Our ticket to heaven is not purchased with our good works, but by our personal acceptance and faith in what Christ has accomplished for us. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “By grace you have been saved through faith…not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Consider the dying thief who confessed that he was justly rewarded for his evil deeds, then during his last painful hours he put his trust in the Saviour, saying “Lord, remember me.” Later that day he entered heaven’s paradise with the Lord Jesus! The end of the road of life is a euphemistic illustration of physical death – the journey is over, and finished is the “long day” of earthly life with its every “long weary mile.” Those who acknowledge the Lord Jesus now have a guaranteed destiny: heaven itself! We will “enter that blessed abode” through “a gate open wide” led by Jesus the “friend by our side.” Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2–3), so the darkness of death on earth is transformed into “light in the sky from the palace on high.” Those who belong to Christ should have Ackley’s hymn sung at their funeral! Alfred Ackley himself arranged for this to be done, and I think I will request the same at my funeral!

Anthony K. Chamberlain