a Hymn Devotion for 9 October 2024 Anno domini
“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
Psalm 34:7 (KJV)
This awe-inspiring hymn of reassurance of the Presence of our Lord is the composition of F. E. Belden, 1845-1945. The tune is by the same author entitled, “THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ENCAMPETH ROUND ABOUT”.
PILLAR OF FIRE
1 The angel of the Lord encampeth
Round about us, round about us;
Round about the souls that fear him,
Night and day.
Chorus:
O pillar of fire, pillar of cloud,
Lead me, lead me ev’ry day!
O pillar of fire, pillar of cloud,
Lead me on my heav’nly way.
2 When danger hovers o’er our pathway,
He will hide us, he will hide us,
Safe within the mighty shadow
Of his wing. [Chorus]
3 We’ll trust thee as we onward journey,
God of Israel, God of Israel,
Till we reach the land of promise,
Just before. [Chorus]
The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about us, round about us; Round about the souls that fear him, Night and day. We have been studying of late the various names of the Lord. The Pillar of Fire is yet another term for Christ. He is our defense and high tower. He is with us always and will never forsake us. When the tides of the storm blast the pillars of the soul, Christ is right beside walking on the wings of the Storm. He does not observe and eight-hour shift, but abides with us day and night – with us in our daily toil, and to watch over us during the dark wilderness of this world.
When danger hovers o’er our pathway, He will hide us, he will hide us, Safe within the mighty shadow Of his wing. Are we stranded in the swirling waters of the sea with no hope of salvation? Look, He comes walking on the waters and commands the billows to cease. There is no predicament of terror in which we cannot count upon the Lord’s Presence and salvation. He is the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (See Proverbs 18:24) Just as the Pillar of Fire by Night and Cloud by Day both followed and preceded the children in the Wilderness, so does His Holy Spirit both guide and follow us in our daily walk with Him on that straight and narrow way.
We’ll trust thee as we onward journey, God of Israel, God of Israel, Till we reach the land of promise, Just before. Are you the pilgrim that seeketh for a city not made with hands, but by the glorious God of your salvation? He will be with us through the rough undergrowth of this world of sin and continuously guide us to the very Waters of Jordan Banks, and beyond to His Mansions of the Lord.
Chorus: O pillar of fire, pillar of cloud, Lead me, lead me ev’ry day! O pillar of fire, pillar of cloud, Lead me on my heav’nly way. There is only one way for the Christian, and that way is Christ. Where He leads us, we will follow; and He will never lead us into ruin, but into a glorious victory. The Gates of splendor will open to His Voice for you and me if we stay the course in faith and courage.
