"He Rode"

When his daddy set him on that horse,

He laughed and clapped his hands,

Just a happy three-year-old,

On those distant pasture lands.

And he rode and rode and rode…

When he was twelve they gave to him,

A pretty zebra dun,

Came plumb from Oklahoma,

And man that horse could run.

When it came time to gather steers,

Or catch the wild bovine,

He’d trot out with the cowboy crew,

And never missed a time.

And he rode and rode and rode…

Dad got old and finally died,

The pasture lands were sold,

He found a way to stay horseback,

Though hard to take ahold.

Raised his children, grandkids, too,

Folks died whom he loved,

He’d catch a horse and saddle up,

When push came hard and shoved.

And he rode and rode and rode…

One day hooked his trailer up,

Got his horses loaded then,

Off to Texas with his love,

He’d not look back again.

And now an older, weathered man,

But not too old to ride,

He’ll throw a leg and still step on,

And in you I’ll confide,

From Bama out to Texas,

As far as Idaho,

Great Basin ranges way up there,

And he was glad to go.

And he rode and rode and rode…

Sometimes out there a-horseback,

He’ll hear God’s whisper say,

Time will come you’ll ride with Me,

He looks forward to that day.

When the Lord will call him home,

No one knows just when,

With Jesus on a great white horse,

Forevermore and then,

He’ll ride and ride and ride.

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved priviledge where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.’ (Romans 5:2, NLT)

Life has its blessings and challenges. There are seasons of enjoyment and seasons of trial and trouble. In it all and through it all God is with us. He loves us and knows what we need to be at peace and content. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. But, in the end, life is not about this world. It is all about eternity. Our salvation is a gift that we cannot earn but must receive by faith. We can know and be fully assured that when the end of life comes we will immediately go to be with the Lord. He wants everyone to enjoy that assurance, but it comes only when we are willing to surrender ourselves to Him.

Lord, give us the full assurance of our salvation, in Jesus’ name.

Photo by J.L. Grief, used by permission. Thanks, J.L, and God bless you.