Sharing: A Hymn Becomes a Lifelong Prayer

#ChronicJoyMinistry, Chronic Illness, Chronic Joy Ministry, Uncategorized

HE LEADETH ME

My seven-year-old self practiced the song with the hymn book my mother had given me. I knew my older brother would be home from college soon. Wouldn’t he be proud to see me singing along with the words at church the following Sunday?

I could not have known how firmly those words would cling to my heart and mind through the many decades ahead:

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
by his own hand, he leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
for by His hand, He leadeth me.

So often throughout my life, I sang that same hymn over and over and lifted those words as a prayer before the Lord. I loved the way it helped me sense his direction.

 …addressing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart… (Ephesians 5:19)

 My path following the Lord was certainly not always smooth, but He tenderly nudged my steps back to him whenever I strayed—until the day when my path became choked with chronic illness and pain. His guidance seemed to evaporate, and the words of my favorite childhood hymn seemed to shout out the ways that I could not possibly be following his path:

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur or repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ‘tis thy hand that Leadeth me.

No murmuring?

Filled with contentment?

HE LEADETH ME…THROUGH CHRONIC ILLNESS?

Surely, I was not on His path if these words that had felt like my childhood friends now so troubled my heart! I retraced the words of the first verse. Could it be that this journey filled with chronic illness was still his leading?

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I would love for you to join me over at Chronic Joy Ministries for the rest of this post, and to listen to the audio recording. Click here to read the rest of this post.

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It is so amazing to me how God always brings these posts into publication at just the right time. I had written these words months ago, and had given it to the team at Chronic Joy for their scheduling. But I had no way of knowing that when this post would be shared, I would be coming off of the worst RA flare that I’ve ever had, because my pharmacy gave me the wrong medication. It would seem to my earthly mind that a mistake like that could not possibly be safe for me. And yet, just as the words to this hymn proclaim, I am led by the hands of my faithful and loving Father. Nothing escapes His attention! So while that wrong medication could have caused a severe crisis, God preserved my life and carried me through.

And He will carry each of us, His children, today.

“He Leadeth Me” sung by The Martins
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Published by Bettie G

Jesus follower, Wife, Mom, and Grandma, journeying through chronic illness one day at a time

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10 thoughts on “Sharing: A Hymn Becomes a Lifelong Prayer”

  1. So very beautiful. Praise God for His protection of His Holy Temple and His great love for you and us all. I love this story so much and it is so good to read it again and linger with this line of the hymn especially:

    O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!

    Heavenly comfort changes everything, doesn’t it? Do you know that today I looked up that famous verse about a hope and a future- given to the Israelites on the eve of one of the most harrowing times for them. How could that be that hope and future He spoke of and no harm? Well: looking up those Lexicon meanings was absolutely stunning. Did you know the NASB lexicon also speaks of “descendants” as a transnation for “future” and that Word “give” can mean “avenge” and that Word plans (the 2nd time) can mean “intention” and “ways”. It was eye opening: to remember this verse came on the eve of utter desolation: and yet right there God was putting into action His plan leading to Jesus, to have those faithful descendants: Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, etc all play a part because they held tight to that Promise of a hope and future: heavenly comfort 😊 in utter desolation.

    I want to sit with those questions you asked tomorrow too. Thank you, Bettie. You are such a gift to me.

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    1. oh what precious thoughts, for that promise of God to come at just the right time for all of those descendents to hold onto and remember that God’s purposes will remain! He does lead us by ways not known to us, that seem so unfamiliar. But it is His avenging for us, isn’t it? Thank you so much for sharing those words meanings. Blessing and love across the wide sea my dear friend❤️

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  4. Oh my, Bettie. I’m so sorry you were given the wrong medication, and I thank God for His never-failing tender mercies in bringing you through. Thank you for sharing God’s faithfulness in time of need.

    I’m reading your post today, and it’s just what I needed. God always knows the right time and way, doesn’t He? It seems there has been one thing after another lately. Deep worry and desperate pleas to God over our 3-year-old granddaughter who had a delicate surgery to have a little mass taken off her spinal cord, but a couple of days ago, they finally got the results, and it couldn’t have been better. What a relief for all of us! Also, I had my top teeth pulled a couple of months ago, and the bottom ones last Monday, and dentures put in. Not fun! For some reason, both times I ended up in ER for hours with extreme nausea and weakness. I didn’t even have anesthesia. Guess my body couldn’t handle it so well. So thank you so much for the reminder that God leads us with His loving hand no matter what happens. Also for pointing out that hymn print-out. Such precious words! Last week as I reclined in my chair, I put YouTube on the TV and listened to some of those old Gospel hymns. So calming to our troubled, overwhelmed hearts, right? Love and blessings of continued strength and peace, dear friend!

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    1. Oh Dear Trudy, you certainly have been through some extremely difficult trials!! I cannot imagine the trauma that your body endured, having so many teeth pulled at once! Whenever I have had just one tooth pulled, I’ve been knocked out for several days! No wonder you ended up in the ER. I am so thankful the Lord carried you through.

      And praise God for the good report for your little granddaughter. What a heavy burden that was also.

      And yes, truly, these songs, hymns, and spiritual songs have great comfort for our weary hearts! I’m so glad that the printout from Chronic Joy was a blessing to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers so much dear sister. May His blessings flow over you today! Love & hugs ❤️💕

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