Sometimes a Light Surprises

Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe his people too

These lines of a hymn are based on Jesus' words in Matthew 6.28 and Luke 12.27. Jesus was telling his disciples not to get worried about food or clothing - diet or fashion. Of course, we need food to keep us alive. We need clothing to protect us, whether from the heat of the sun or the iciness of the snow. But choice of food or clothing should not be a cause for worry. There is more to life. Ravens don't spend their lives planning for food - "God feeds them". In other words the natural order contains food for the species. Worrying won't make you grow taller, or live longer [whichever meaning we attach to the Greek helikia]. The beauties of the flowers don't come by worrying.... instead, Jesus tells us to trust our Father, who knows our need for the essentials of life, and to focus on his kingdom. Don't worry. Don't panic.

The hymn containing these lines is 'Sometimes a light surprises the Christian when he sings'. Besides these lines, it also brings in thoughts from the Old Testament. Some see a reference in it to Psalm 147, but apart from the reference to ravens, Psalm 147 is more closely linked to a different hymn,

Praise ye the Lord! 'tis good to raise
Your hearts and voices in His praise ...
The beasts with food His hands supply
And the young ravens when they cry.(Isaac Watts)

But in our hymn, there is a more direct reference to Malachi, 'But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings' (Mal.4.2 RSV). Also, Habakkuk, 'Though the fig tree do not blossom nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.' (Habakkuk 3.17,18 RSV) This scripture shows an attitude of faith in God which goes beyond trusting him for everyday food and clothing. Trust Him, even when absolutely all supplies are cut off! But let us quote our hymn in full:

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in his wings:
When comforts are declining
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow
We cheerfully can say,
Now let the unknown morrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe His people too:
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed;
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there,
Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

Who was it that wrote this hymn of serene trust, and what sort of person was he?

It was William Cowper (1731‑1800). The son of a clergyman who moved in the circle of the royal court, he lost his mother at the age of six, and was promptly sent to boarding school, where he had horrific experiences. In due course he moved on to Westminster School, where he learned to lead a fashionable life. He courted Theodora, a Christian lady, for seven years and was then refused permission to marry her. He set out to be a lawyer, but did not do enough work to succeed. He appears to have had no money sense, and was well supported by rich friends. He had skills as a poet. When at the age of 33 he was about to be publicly questioned to discover whether he was suitable for a particular public post, he had a nervous breakdown, three times attempted suicide, and was placed in a private lunatic asylum suffering from black depression. After many months he began to recover - he had a conversion experience and became a Christian. He had been in contact with evangelical Christians for many years. Now he found a faith that was real and personal.

It was during the next period of his life that he wrote this hymn, and many others (including God moves in a mysterious way). He came into close friendship with John Newton (who had become a minister and wrote 'Amazing grace'). Together, they brought out the 'Olney Hymns' (Olney, Bucks., being where they lived at that time). He was well mothered by a widow, Mary Unwin, and, living a quiet country life experienced a lot of happiness, and gained fame as a poet.

It is easy to imagine how our hymn arises from his experience. Coming out of black depression he was well able to appreciate God's love, the light which surprised him. He wrote about the confidence in God's care which he clung on to.

William Cowper still needed to cling on. From time to time his mental illness came back, and it is said he died in despair. Should he not have been able to fight off the illness, this man who wrote such a hymn about God's support? The unknown tomorrow 'can bring with it nothing, but he will bear us through' - was this his experience? There were indeed long periods when he lived a cheerful and useful life.

As for us, we are given no promise that we shall be immune to all the evils and illness in the world. Cowper's recurring problem is a reminder to us that whatever our health, whatever our circumstances, we must maintain our trust in the Lord even if we are not able to trace his hand in our lives.
GC