January 15, 2005

God Leads Us Along

Words and Music by George A. Young, 12th Century

      You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And being with You, I desire nothing on earth. Psalm 73:24, 25.

    The more clearly we see the sovereignty of God and depend on His providential care, the less perplexed we will be by life's calamities.

He does not lead me year by year, nor even day by day;
But step by step my path unfolds; my Lord directs the way.  ~ Unknown

    The author and composer of God Leads Us Along was an obscure preacher and carpenter who spent a lifetime humbly serving God in small rural areas. Often the salary was meager and life was difficult for his family. Through it all, however, George Young and his wife never wavered in their loyalty to God and His service.
    The story is told that after much struggle and effort, the George Young family was finally able to move into their own small home, which they had built themselves. Their joy seemed complete. But then, while Young was away holding meetings in another area, hoodlums who disliked the preacher's gospel message set fire to the house, leaving nothing but a heap of ashes. It is thought that out of that tragic experience, George Young completed this hymn, which reaffirms so well the words of Job 35:10: "God my Maker, who gives songs in the night." The words of this hymn have since been a source of great comfort and encouragement to countless numbers of God's people as they experienced the "night" times of their lives.

    In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet, God leads His dear children along.
    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.
    Though sorrows 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.
Chorus: Some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.