Reflections by Maxie Dunnam

Natalie Sleeth has given us one of the most popular hymns written during the past fifty years, “Hymn of Promise.” The last two lines of the hymn gives the core message: 

In our death, a resurrection; 
at the last, a victory, 
Unrevealed until its season, 
something God alone can see. 

She wrote the hymn for her husband, who was professor of preaching at the Iliff School of Theology. She claimed one of the central truths of the Christian faith – the promise that death is not the end. The resurrection of Christ gives credence to his claim, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). The heartbeat of the gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Easter is coming, April 20, let’s not wait to celebrate. I urge you! Don’t let a day pass between now and then that you don’t give some thought to Easter’s real meaning and whether you have claimed it for yourself. You probably have a family member or a friend you will want to share this with. 

HYMN OF PROMISE 

In the bulb, there is a flower 
In the seed, an apple tree 
In cocoons, a hidden promise 
Butterflies will soon be free 

In the cold and snow of winter 
There’s a spring that waits to be 
Unrevealed until its season 
Something God alone can see 

There’s a song in every silence 
Seeking word and melody 
There’s a dawn in every darkness 
Bringing hope to you and me 

From the past will come the future 
What it holds, a mystery 
Unrevealed until its season 
Something God alone can see 

In our end is our beginning 
In our time, infinity 
In our doubt, there is believing 
In our life, eternity 
In our death, a resurrection 
At the last, a victory 

Unrevealed until its season 
Something God alone can see