Words and Music by George A. Young, 19th 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.
Tho sorrows befall us and Satan oppose, God
leads His dear children along; thru grace we can conquer, defeat all
our foes, God leads His dear children along.
Chorus:
Some thru the waters, some thru the flood,
some thru the fire, but all thru the blood; some thru great sorrow, but
God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.
For Today: Deuteronomy 1:30, 33; Joshua 3:4; Isaiah 58:11; Matthew 6:34
Determine for this day and for this new
year to trust God more fully—regardless of the circumstances that may
come your way. Sing this musical truth as a helpful reminder—
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