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| The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; (Psalm 23:1-4) |
He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
The doctors told her she had only months to live. It was cancer, and there was much pain. 10 years later she is still here, still in daily pain. Recently her pastor stopped by to visit and she asked him, 'Why in the world is God keeping me alive? I can't do anything, I have to stay in bed most of the time. What is the purpose of keeping on?'. The pastor responded, 'Well, is there anything about your life that is different than before?' The lady immediately responded, 'Oh, yes. I am so much closer to Jesus!' As I listened to these words it struck a chord in me. Although my situation is certainly nothing compared to this woman's, I've been wondering lately why Jesus is keeping me here in this frustrating place I'm at in life. I feel like I'm not really doing anything useful, and I have been wondering what is the point. But when I ask myself the question, what is different about my life now than before? The immediate and joyous answer: I know Jesus like never before! The Bible is clear that God is never the author of pain and suffering, or trials and tribulations, but if we choose to let Him, He can use these situations to bring glorious blessings to us and draw us nearer and nearer to Him.
I've been reading lots of verses about waiting on God (hoping in Him, expecting great things from Him), and about trusting Jesus, but we all know it's often hard when we can't see the end from the beginning. Then I heard the words to this beautiful hymn. The author, Joseph Gilmore, writing in the darkest hour of the Civil War says, "God’s leadership is the one significant fact in human experience, that it makes no difference how we are led, or whither we are led, so long as we are sure God is leading us." The song also reminds me that it is God's own hand that is leading, His very own nail-scarred hand. This is not some impersonal guide who cares nothing for my welfare, but instead the Good Shepherd who gave His life so that He and I could be friends. It doesn't matter where He leads me, or how long it takes to get there, or which path He chooses, as long as I'm with Him I can be sure that I am safe. He never promised us an easy journey, but He does promise the joy, peace and wonderfulness of His company and guidance. As long as I have this, I have no need to fear.
Jesus, forgive me for spending so much time focusing on small and momentary troubles. This week help me fix my eyes on You and look up, content to follow wherever You lead, and thankful for your dear company along the way.
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