Hymns With A Message: WHERE HE LEADS I'LL FOLLOW

Sunday, November 6, 2016

WHERE HE LEADS I'LL FOLLOW

We live in a sad age when increasingly more and more members of our society, including believers, are becoming followers of all sorts of folks and philosophies. The internet in particular has allowed people through blogs and social media to regularly follow politicians, entertainment stars, athletes, religious speakers and all sorts of organizations. And, in so many cases, people just accept what they read without even questioning it. We need discernment like never before. As Abraham Lincoln said, "If you read it on the internet it must be true." But there is only one person who has the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life." And the Apostle Peter states that Christ has left us an example, "that you should follow in His steps" (I Peter 2:21). There is no need to be in the dark if we will accompany the One who declared, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). Nineteen times the Gospel writers record the words of the Lord Jesus, "Follow Me" (for example Matthew 4:19). And that is the theme of this week's hymn that should remind each believer of the need to follow Christ daily in all that we do. William A. Ogden (1841-1897) is said to have been a musical prodigy. He began studying music at the age of eight and could read church music by ten. He could write a melody by hearing it sung or played and when he was 18 he became a choir director in his church. Through his adult life he enjoyed working with children and teaching them music. With the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. During the war years he organized a male choir which became known throughout the Army of the Cumberland. After the war he resumed his study of music under some of the most prominent musicians of the day. In 1870, Mr. Ogden published his first song book, called Silver Songs. The book became very popular, and sold five hundred thousand copies in England alone. Over the years, William Ogden taught music, not only in the United States, but in Canada as well, and he wrote and published many gospel songs. Now I don't know what led him to write this hymn, but he penned the words and added the tune in 1885. The hymn reminds us of why we should follow Christ. Stanza one says that we should because of His message which is sweet, kind, dear and pure - the great example and pattern for us. Stanza two says we should follow Him because of His love. In stanza three we are reminded that we should follow Him because of the rest that He gives. "Weary, heavy-laden, there is sweet rest for thee." "Lean upon the Savior and thy soul is secure." The chorus reminds us of the need to follow Jesus everywhere and at every time. "Where He leads I'll follow, Follow all the way; Where He leads I'll follow, Follow Jesus every day." Jesus not only died for our sins and rose again to declare His divine Sonship, but He lived a perfect life as an example of how God wants His children to live. Therefore, it should be our determination, throughout our entire life on earth that, "Where He Leads, I'll Follow." Is that your desire and prayer?

1 Sweet are the promises, Kind is the word,

Dearer far than any message man ever heard;

Pure was the mind of Christ, Sinless I see;

He the great example is, and pattern for me.