GOD LEADS US ALONG

AS HE LEADS US ALONG

Recently my husband has been shopping for items in the grocery store or other places for items we need.  I have waited in the car.  And as I wait I watch people coming and going.  I look at their faces, watch them load items in their cars and I wonder about their lives, the burdens they carry and the lives they lead.  Some faces show signs of despair, some of laughter.  And I wonder if they know Jesus, and that He can carry their burdens.

The world out there needs Jesus and to know how much He loves them.  Many of those people I see don’t know the One who came to die for them and I pray that the day will come when they will surrender their lives to Jesus.  We in America are so blessed with the Gospel and the Word freely available to all.  But people have become bitter and angry and have rejected the God who loves them so much.

But if you know Jesus as your personal Savior, you are locked in His warm embrace.  And He leads us along life’s pathway secure in His love.  So no matter where you are today in your walk with Jesus, He is our Caring Shepherd who leads us along no matter what the path may hold.  And it seems that some go through great trials that never seem to end, but oh the joy and comfort that He brings no matter what the circumstance. 

GOD LEADS US ALONG

“In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; where the water’s cool flow baths the weary one’s feet, God leads His lead children along.

Chorus:  Some thro’ the waters, some thro’ the flood, some thro’ the fire, but all thro’ the blood; some thro’ great sorrow, but God gives a song; in the night season and all the day long.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; sometimes in the valley in the darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.

Tho’ sorrow befall us, and Satan oppose, God leads His dear children along; through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along.

Away from the mire and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along; away up in glory, eternity’s day, God leads His dear children along.” (George A. Young)

The author of this hymn, George Young, was a carpenter and a pastor.  He didn’t make much money in either profession.  Most of his life was spent in small farming communities.  Finally, however, he and his wife were able to build their own home, and they moved in.  Shortly afterwards, while the Youngs were holding meetings in another small town, someone set fire to their house, and it was reduced to ashes.

It was probably out of that experience that George Young wrote this hymn and ended the chorus with these words: “Some thru great sorrow but God gives a song/in the night season and all the day long.”

Are your feet weary today?  You have traveled far and the road has been strewn with rocks and hard places to walk but Jesus is there leading you along.  Remember He is your Great Shepherd and we are reminded in Psalm 23:2:  “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

I was reminded of this as I saw along the highway a pasture of sheep, and there was a pond there, and the sheep were lying down beside it, and the waters were so still it reminded me of glass. The song reminds us that He leads us in “Shady green pastures.”  That reminds me that He is our shade at our right hand (Psalm 121:5) Around those still waters, are many trees that bring shade from the heat of the sun.

And that is like our Shepherd, covering us from the heat of the trials that we go through.  And then our Shepherd encourages  you to lie down and let Him wipe your weary feet in cool waters so you can face the journey ahead.  Oh, Praise the Lord, for our Gentle Shepherd!

And then there are the “mountain top” experiences where the sun is shining brightly, and trials seem to be gone for a season.  Oh, such joy in those moments!  There on the mountain top feeling the presence of our Wonderful Lord.  I am reminded of a person who accepts Jesus as their Savior and then has a “mountain top experience.”  I remember one elderly lady in the nursing home who accepted Jesus as her Savior and was so excited she was laughing and crying as she sat in her wheelchair.  Actually, we were both laughing and crying together.  She became at that moment one of His dear children and He gave her absolute joy as she began her walk with Jesus.

Then there are those experiences when it seems the night of sorrow is so dark that you can’t see the Lord leading you there ahead.  I have been there and I know many of you have been there. I have shared previously of being in the hospital after major surgery and the night of pain was so dark, but He gave me songs in the night and I sang His praises all through that night. 

And finally after the battles are over, our foes have been defeated, He leads us on up into glory, into eternity with Him forever.

“Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand.  Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” Psalm 73:23-24.

So we are continually with Him, as He leads us, His dear children along life’s pathway.  He leads us into rest when we are weary, and gives us those wonderful experiences of His presence, and then finally, after our trials are over, He safely leads us home to be with Him forever.

Whenever the way gets dreary, just remember He is just ahead leading you onward and upward.  And if you don’t know Jesus as your own personal Savior, He is waiting for you, and wants you to know how much He loves you.  Just ask Him into your heart today and He will become your Shepherd and your Guide forever.

In the Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon