Time moves faster the older you get, so don’t waste time on foolish things.”
–Kenneth Pratt (Return to Willow Falls)
“Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
“Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
–Psalm 139:10 (NKJV)
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I heard this song sometime three weeks ago and it continues to flow through my mind. Since that is the case, it must mean that I need it, and since I do, I reckon someone reading this needs it as well. Don’t just sing along, which I know you will if you know the song, but contemplate the message. It’s a great one by Albert E. Brumley.
“As I travel thru this pilgrim land
There is a Friend who walks with me,
Leads me safely thro’ the sinking sand,
It is the Christ of Calvary;
This would be by pray’r, dear Lord, each day
To help me do the best I can,
For I need Thy light to guide me day and night,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”
The first thing we should notice is that we are traveling through this land. We are not wanderers, drifters, but pilgrims. That means we have a destination in mind, a place where we plan on ending up, homesteading if you will. No matter the terrain, the Lord is there. I think of the Malpais in New Mexico. What a dreaded place, a place where a guide is needed. I also recall the time I was in the woods and went through a stream and stepped in quicksand. Oh, blessed Jesus hold my hand and guide me through the malpais of life. In the sinking sand of morals and corruption around me–guide me. I’ll do my best, but I need Your help.
“Let me travel in the light divine
That I may see the blessed way;
Keep me that I may be wholly Thine
And sing redemption’s song some day;
I will be a soldier brave and true
And ever firmly take a stand,
As I onward go and daily meet the foe,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” says the words of the Psalmist (Psalm 119:105, NKJV) In the darkness that looms over us, in the fog of the evil that surrounds us, we can see the “blessed way” because the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to light our way. When the attacks come, whatever kind they may be, let me stand firmly upon the “Rock of Ages,” the firm foundation, and not quaver nor cower, but rush on to meet the foe. Right now I smile as I recall the words of that great Sioux chief Sitting Bull, “It is a good day to die.” This is so much more true for the Christian, for “to die is gain” as Paul said.
“When I wander thru the valley dim
Toward the setting of the sun,
Lead me safely to a land of rest
If I a crown of life have won;
I have put my faith in Thee, dear Lord,
That I may reach the golden strand,
There’s no other friend on whom I can depend,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Jesus, hold my hand,
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Thru this pilgrim land
Protect me by Thy pow’r;
Hear my feeble plea,
O Lord, look down on me,
When I kneel in pray’r I hope to meet you there,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”
No matter what season of life, whether is be the exuberance of youth or the endurance of one who has seen the years, we must hold on to the hand of the Lord. In fact, it is the opposite; He holds our hand. We may at times in our life struggle against that hand, but He never lets us go. I remember when I had to pull my kids at one time or another. It may be because they were being stubborn or simply the fact that they needed help, the fact is that I held onto them. Jesus does the same to us. In our journey to that final destination that He has for us, He protects us along the way. We have faith that He will hold on to us no matter life’s situation, no matter the battle or the storm we rest assured that He is holding onto our hand.
——————————–
I heard this song sometime three weeks ago and it continues to flow through my mind. Since that is the case, it must mean that I need it, and since I do, I reckon someone reading this needs it as well. Don’t just sing along, which I know you will if you know the song, but contemplate the message. It’s a great one by Albert E. Brumley.
“As I travel thru this pilgrim land
There is a Friend who walks with me,
Leads me safely thro’ the sinking sand,
It is the Christ of Calvary;
This would be by pray’r, dear Lord, each day
To help me do the best I can,
For I need Thy light to guide me day and night,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”
The first thing we should notice is that we are traveling through this land. We are not wanderers, drifters, but pilgrims. That means we have a destination in mind, a place where we plan on ending up, homesteading if you will. No matter the terrain, the Lord is there. I think of the Malpais in New Mexico. What a dreaded place, a place where a guide is needed. I also recall the time I was in the woods and went through a stream and stepped in quicksand. Oh, blessed Jesus hold my hand and guide me through the malpais of life. In the sinking sand of morals and corruption around me–guide me. I’ll do my best, but I need Your help.
“Let me travel in the light divine
That I may see the blessed way;
Keep me that I may be wholly Thine
And sing redemption’s song some day;
I will be a soldier brave and true
And ever firmly take a stand,
As I onward go and daily meet the foe,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” says the words of the Psalmist (Psalm 119:105, NKJV) In the darkness that looms over us, in the fog of the evil that surrounds us, we can see the “blessed way” because the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to light our way. When the attacks come, whatever kind they may be, let me stand firmly upon the “Rock of Ages,” the firm foundation, and not quaver nor cower, but rush on to meet the foe. Right now I smile as I recall the words of that great Sioux chief Sitting Bull, “It is a good day to die.” This is so much more true for the Christian, for “to die is gain” as Paul said.
“When I wander thru the valley dim
Toward the setting of the sun,
Lead me safely to a land of rest
If I a crown of life have won;
I have put my faith in Thee, dear Lord,
That I may reach the golden strand,
There’s no other friend on whom I can depend,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Jesus, hold my hand,
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Thru this pilgrim land
Protect me by Thy pow’r;
Hear my feeble plea,
O Lord, look down on me,
When I kneel in pray’r I hope to meet you there,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”
No matter what season of life, whether is be the exuberance of youth or the endurance of one who has seen the years, we must hold on to the hand of the Lord. In fact, it is the opposite; He holds our hand. We may at times in our life struggle against that hand, but He never lets us go. I remember when I had to pull my kids at one time or another. It may be because they were being stubborn or simply the fact that they needed help, the fact is that I held onto them. Jesus does the same to us. In our journey to that final destination that He has for us, He protects us along the way. We have faith that He will hold on to us no matter life’s situation, no matter the battle or the storm we rest assured that He is holding onto our hand.