18 January 2008

God always encourages - ALL the way

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

Some small misunderstandings occured, and I was a little discouraged 15 minutes ago (now clarified, thank the LORD). I was browsing through some hymns in the midi website, and remembered this particular one.

"All the way my Saviour leads me"

God didn't save us then leave us alone. He saved us, and became our Father. We became His adopted children through Jesus Christ. Now that He is our Father, He takes care of us all the way; not half way, not just when we are saved, not just when we are zealously serving, but also in our backslidings, our sadness, and our discouraged moments. And in His care, we are led by the Lord Jesus Christ. This reminds me of the Shepherd Psalm, Psalm 23, which gives a beautiful image of the Lord being our Shepherd, leading us little sheeps through dark and scary valleys. This is the love of God. The hymn is an exposition of His gracious leading. Finally, it ends with the joyous hope of being able to sing "Jesus led me all the way" for eternity when we are in Heaven.

"What have I to ask beside?"