GOD LEADS US ALONG
“And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”- Isa.58:11
The old hymn “God Leads Us Along” has blessed millions down through the years. Warren Shiver gives us the history – “George Young was an obscure 19th Century preacher and carpenter who spent a lifetime humbly serving the Lord in small rural communities. Often his financial support was small, and it was hard on his family. But through all the ups and downs his faithful wife never wavered in her loyalty to God and to her husband. After a long struggle, the family was able to move into their own small home (which George built himself). But then, on an occasion when George was away preaching, some local thugs-who didn’t like his Gospel preaching- -set fire to the house, and it was totally destroyed. It was out of that experience that Young reaffirmed his faith in God by writing God Leads His Dear Children Along.”
But the story doesn’t end there. Paul Chappell writes, “When Haldor Lillenas was putting together one of his first hymnals, he recalled a song he had learned soon after moving to America and learning English, ‘God Leads Us Along’. He wanted to include it, but needed permission from the writer. Lillenas tracked down the author’s widow who was living in a poorhouse, and she was delighted to have her husband’s song shared with others.
Despite her circumstances, she was rejoicing. She told Lillenas, ‘My husband and I were married while we were very young. God gave us a wonderful life together; he led us from day to day. But then God took my husband. Now God has led me here, and I’m so excited and glad about it! God has used me in this place. Many people come to this place and they are so sad and in such great need. They need help and comfort. I have been able to cheer many of them and lead scores of them to the Lord Jesus Christ.’
God does not promise us ease and comfort, but He does promise to guide us through this life and never leave us. He is just as present and loving in our moments of pain as in our moments of joy. And we must always trust His guidance.”
Seeing people practice what they proclaim, whether in sermon or song, inspires you –it instills hope. Knowing what God has done for others He can do for you enables you to look to the future in faith, assured that all shall be well. It reminds you that the Spirit of God will not lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you! Rather than getting bitter when things go bad let’s make ourselves useful. Wherever you are it is by divine providence and for a purpose. Contrary to the way you might feel, the path of God’s will is always right, best, and safest. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
