"We Shall Behold Him" ...Then and Now....

“We Shall Behold Him” by Dottie Rambo

“The sky shall unfold preparing His entrance. The stars shall applaud Him with thunders of praise. The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting and we shall behold Him then face to face.

We shall behold Him. We shall behold Him face to face in all of His glory.
We shall behold Him. Yes we shall behold Him face to face, our Savior and Lord.

The angels will sound the shouts of His coming. The sleeping shall rise from their slumbering place. And those who remain shall be changed in a moment
And we shall behold Him, our Savior and Lord.

We shall behold Him.  We shall behold Him face to face in all of His glory. We shall behold Him. Yes, we shall behold Him face to face, our Savior and Lord.”

© 1980 John T. Benson Publishing

The year was 1980.  I was a sophomore at Kentucky Christian College (now KCU).  Sandi Patty’s new release, “We Shall Behold Him,” (written by Dottie Rambo), was just hitting the radio stations.  The response was incredible.  We couldn’t listen to that song without tears in our eyes, hearts homesick for Heaven and motivation to stay on this journey for our Lord. 

Amy was a very sweet, humble and talented student at KCC.  She had the voice of an angel and it was no secret that she had an incredible voice, much like that of Sandi Patty.  One day, Amy approached me and asked if I would be willing to play this new song for her in Chapel very soon.  The song was brand new. The album was not yet out for purchase and neither was the sheet music.  So Amy recorded it from the radio onto a cassette tape and we began meeting in the chapel piano practice room frequently for the next week or so. We listened and fine-tuned the chords, dynamics and melody repeatedly until it was just right. And then the morning of the Chapel service arrived.

As I listened to WKCC that same morning in the dorm, I almost cried as Matt, the DJ, introduced this very song over the airwaves across campus.  I thanked God for this opportunity and prayed that He would calm my fears, help me support Amy the best I could musically and prayerfully, and honor Him above all else as I played this incredible song for her.

The moment finally came when Amy stepped up on the platform as I sat at the piano.  Her soft, angelic voice began with pianissimo dynamics…to which a hush from the audience created a very reverend atmosphere.  As the song unfolded, Amy’s voice delivered each word clearly and the growing dynamics effectively and beautifully.  I continued to pray that God would use my simple skills to fully support her and the incredible message of this song.  From light treble chords and key changes to growing runs across the keys of the black, baby grand piano, I witnessed Jesus in Amy as she lifted her heart and voice to Him, as well as in the attentive and united response of those listening.  By the time Amy completed the song, the students, faculty and staff were on their feet lifting a standing ovation…to Amy…and to our precious God!  It was a moment I shall not forget!  Seeing that precious song Dottie Rambo had written, Sandi Patty had shared, Amy had just sung so incredibly lift the hearts a Spirit-honoring campus family was a tremendous example of the power of God’s handiwork!

November 17, 2012…a Saturday evening (and Sunday as well)…the daughter of that pianist thirty-two years ago…now stood on the LCC platform and began singing this very same song! As the LCC pianist played the initial, soft introductory chord, my heart jumped with joy and praise. Now our daughter, Rachel Victoria Lorenz, was singing “We Shall Behold Him” with all of her heart, her talents and her love for God!  Yes, tears once again filled my eyes for I was now seeing God’s love, handiwork and power fill the hearts and lives of others with hope, praise and adoration for Him…through the same song I had played over three decades earlier!  Wow! Before Rachel even sang the last word and note of the song, the LCC family was on their feet, in gratitude and praise…and the Spirit of the Living God once again surrounded the body of listeners!

Although “We Shall Behold Him” is a very special song to me now more than ever for obvious reasons, I am drawn to realize an even greater message.  God’s love and power never changes!  His grace, mercy and faithfulness remain true each moment of our lives, whether it was thirty-two years ago, last week or today.  If His hope, peace and love can touch lives that much through one song, I can’t help but wonder what He can do in and through our lives when we totally surrender to Him…daily!  May we behold Him each moment as we seek His plan, surround ourselves with His love and share Him with all those we meet on this journey.  May we behold Him...wholeheartedly…until we see Him face to face! ♥~thl