Thus Far He Has Led Us

Thus far the Lord has helped us — 1 Sam 7:12

The words “thus far” seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet “thus far the Lord has helped us!” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health; at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea; in honor, in dishonor, in difficulties, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation—“thus far the Lord has helped us!”

We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from one end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves. Even so, look down the long avenue of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there any birds in the branches singing? Surely, there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “thus far.”

But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain point, and writes “thus far,” he is not yet at the end; there are still distances to be travelled. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death.

Is it over now? No! there is more yet—awakening in Jesus’ likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, "being clothed in white garments" (Rev. 3:5), seeing the face of Jesus, the fellowship of other believers, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinite joy. So, dear believer, "be strong and take heart" (Psalm 27:14), and with thanksgiving and confidence lift your voice in praise, for: 

“The Lord who thus far has helped you, will help you all your journey through" 

When the words "thus far" are read in Heaven’s light, what glorious and miraculous prospects they reveal to our grateful eyes. —C. H. Spurgeon

The Alpine shepherds have a beautiful custom of ending the day by singing to one another an evening farewell. The air is so crystalline that the song will carry long distances. As the dusk begins to fall, they gather their flocks and begin to lead them down the mountain paths, singing, “Thus far the Lord has helped us. Let us praise His name!”

And at last with a sweet courtesy, they sing to one another the friendly farewell: “Goodnight! Goodnight!” The words are taken up by the echoes, and from side to side the song goes reverberating sweetly and softly until the music dies away in the distance.

So let us call out to one another through the darkness, till the gloom becomes vocal with many voices, encouraging God's weary travelers. Let the echoes gather till a very storm of Hallelujahs breaks in thundering waves around the sapphire throne, and then as the morning breaks we shall find ourselves at the shore of the sea of glass (Rev. 4:6), crying, with the redeemed host, “Blessing and honor and glory be unto Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13)

“This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.”

AND AGAIN THEY SHOUTED: "HALLELUJAH!" (Rev. 19:3) 

Taken from Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman