LEAD US, HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US;
Hymn Devotion for 20 August 2024 Anno Domini,
the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:”
(Exodus 13:21; all scripture quoted is from the King James Bible)
This hymn admonishes us to follow in the path and Narrow Way of our Lord – even when we are fearful and filled with doubtful suppositions. The author, James Edmeston (1791-1867) composed the hymn in 1821. This hymn is one of over 2,000 hymns by the author. Mr. Edmeston’s profession was architectural engineering and surveying.
LEAD US, HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US
1 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.
2 Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us:
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us,
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert thou didst go.
3 Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy:
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.
Click here to listen and watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpkEeXWtWg0
1 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us o’er the world’s tempestuous sea; guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, for we have no help but thee; yet possessing every blessing, if our God our Father be. With the leading of the Lord across the tempestuous sea, we may count on the crossing whether it be above or through the waters, or perhaps even on dry land. What a blessing to have the Lord as our God: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12) I discovered in my journeys in Africa, the Middle, and Far East that those who live close to the earth enjoy far lesser privileges of plenty than most western countries; but there is an off-setting advantage to that state of existence. 1) I observed that they care more for the welfare of their neighbors than we tend to do; and, 2) many depend upon God alone to provide the next morsel of food. Those who are Christians are still joyful and without worry. Every help truly comes from the Lord whether we acknowledge it or not.
2 Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us: all our weakness thou dost know; thou didst tread this earth before us, thou didst feel its keenest woe; lone and dreary, faint and weary, through the desert thou didst go. The One who first breathed the breath of life into us all has also breath enough to breathe the winds of forgiveness over the penitent. He understands our frame and frailty, and He has suffered more than us all, and in many ways of which we are unable to suffer, on the crude cross at Calvary. His physical pain, though extreme, was less than the spiritual pain He suffered in love and forgiveness of those who sought forgiveness for their wretched sins. His pain was excruciating – a word derived from two Latin terms – ex (from) and crux (cross). It describes the most extreme pain possible – ex cruc -i- ating.
3 Spirit of our God, descending, fill our hearts with heavenly joy, love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy: thus provided, pardoned, guided, nothing can our peace destroy. It is true that the only true peace we can enjoy comes from God. He is with us always, in the Presence of the Holy Ghost, to guide, defend, teach, and pardon. True peace comes from a contented heart, and that contentment comes from knowing of whom we have believed and to whom we shall go at last. Contentment does not depend on external factors, but rather upon an inward and spiritual grace. May I suggest an example of true contentment that I read as a child:
A wealthy art collector many years ago published a contest to local artists to paint a work that would illustrate perfect peace and contentment. On the day of submission, many brought paintings of great beauty – some of sheep peacefully gracing on the hillside pasture, others of children playing under a summer shade, and many others of like nature and beauty. But one young lady brought a painting of a tumultuous waterfall. The Art Collector wondered what could possible prevail upon the artist to paint such a picture; but upon closer examination, he observed a mother wren nesting with her chicks on a tree branch that grew of the mountain just behind the rushing waters. She was oblivious to the tumult of the waterfall for she was safe from predators and near a bountiful supply of the Water of Life. That painting was chosen as the winner after all.
I suggest that the Christian has the same contentment surrounded by the tumultuous troubles of our world. The outward troubles cannot harm us, and we are content to rest secure near the source of that Water of Life.
