The title above is to a song that was written by Ron Hamilton in 1978. He wrote the song as a result of losing an eye to cancer.

As I remember it, when he went into surgery he didn’t know what the outcome would be. He would either wake up from surgery with both eyes or with just one. Ron lost an eye that day and wrote “Rejoice in the Lord” shortly thereafter.

Ron was and is a very talented musician. When a youngster at church tagged him with being a pirate after seeing him wearing the patch, a music ministry to children was born and Ron became known as “Patch the Pirate”.

Our kids grew up listening to Patch the Pirate songs and stories. God turned Ron’s misfortune of losing an eye into a blessing for hundreds of Christian families through Ron’s ministry of music to children.

Ron’s song “Rejoice in the Lord” was an encouragement and blessing to me soon after he wrote it, as I faced trials and testing of my own during that time.

I have been thinking of the words to that song lately and today (thirty seven years later) it played on the radio as I pulled into our driveway after work. Here are the words he wrote:

God never moves without purpose or plan when trying His servant and molding a man. Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long; In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead; So I looked at the cross of my Saviour instead. I bowed to the will of the Master that day; Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above; God strengthens His children and purges in love. My Father knows best, and I trust in His care; Through purging more fruit I will bear.

Chorus:  O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake. He knoweth the end of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.
                                                                                                        By Ron Hamilton

Rejoice in the Lord – Copyright 1978 by Majesty Music, Inc.  

The lyrics are used by permission.