Following last week's challenge to live our lives by trusting and obeying the Lord in our daily walk with Him, I am sharing an old hymn which acknowledges that sometimes we might stray. We need the Lord to lead us every day and all the way.
Frank Marion Davis (1839-1896) was the one who shared this truth in this week's hymn choice. Born in Marcellus, NY, he became a teacher and professor of voice, a choirmaster and a soloist. He traveled extensively and compiled and published several song books. He never married.
This hymn asks the Lord to lead us in His righteousness so that we shall not stray away from it. It was first published in the 1882 book Carols of Joy. Some of his compilations include Notes of Praise, Brightest Glory, and in 1877 New Pearls of Song.
He also wrote music for Eden R. Latta's "Live For Jesus" and Mary Ann Kidder's "Is My Name Written There." Also, his songs, "O Rock In The Desert" and "Some Day We Shall Be Satisfied," appeared in the Christian Hymns books published by Gospel Advocate and his "Gliding Away" was in some older books.
This song is a request for the Lord to lead us. "I am safe when by Thy side, I would in Thy love abide." We need to be led because, like sheep, we are always in danger of straying if we do not have someone to lead us: (1 Pet. 2.25) Jesus has a way in which He wants us to go, and it is a strait and narrow way, so we need His leadership to follow it: (Matt. 7.13-14). But in order for Him to be able to lead us, we must abide in Him and His love: (Jn. 15.4-70).
Stanza 2 asks the Lord to lead us in safety. "Thou the refuge of my soul, When life's stormy billows roll; I am safe when Thou art nigh, All my hopes on Thee rely.". The Lord is the only true refuge for our souls to protect us when the storms of life come raging: (Ps. 46.1). Therefore, we can be assured that we will be safe when He is nigh to us and we are nigh to Him: (Ps. 12.1-5). Because Christ came to bring us this refuge from God that we might be protected, all our hopes on Him rely: (Heb. 6.18-20)
Stanza 3 asks the Lord to lead us until the storm of life is past. "Savior, lead me, then at last, When the storm of life is past "To the land of endless day, Where all tears are wiped away." At last refers to the time of death, which is an appointment for all men to keep: (Heb. 9.27). Our prayer should be that even in death the Lord will lead us to the land of endless day where we shall have everlasting life: (Matt. 25.35 & 46, Mk. 10.30). And if we have followed Him faithfully in this life, we can have the confidence that we shall be with Him where all tears are wiped away: (Rev. 21.1-4)
The chorus repeats the request that the Lord would lead us all the way. "Lead me, lead me, Savior, lead me, lest I stray;
Gently down the stream of time, Lead me, Savior, all the way." Remember that the way is not in ourself (Jer. 10.23). I cannot put my trust in worldly wisdom or human philosophy for salvation (1 Cor. 1.21, Col. 2.8). If I want to please God here and have an eternal home with Him, I must daily look to Him and ask, "Savior, Lead Me Lest I Stray."
1. Savior, lead me lest I stray
Gently lead me all the way;
I am safe when by Thy side,
I would in Thy love abide.
Listen to it here. LEAD
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