Plea for Grace October 24, 2022

Psalm 23:1-3 ESV – 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

I return to this psalm often . . .and think of this hymn as well. What a comfort that God leads me! I can trust Him to lead me according to his righteousness and where He leads me will serve to glorify His name.

This knowledge of God’s good leading is why I chose the image of the work boots for this blog. There is a quote from Corrie ten Boom that accompanies the picture — “if God sends us on stony paths, He provides strong shoes.”

God does not always make our paths soft grass or smooth sand. Often the trail is confusing or overgrown; there are sticker bushes and exposed roots. Sometimes there are also “others” on the trail who make for a difficult path (it’s quite a heart-stopper to come around a corner and see a moose on the path ahead; or look down to see a copperhead enjoying some sunshine). God’s promise is that He will lead me.

Oh Father, I want to be content in Your leading, whether the path is stony or smooth. You will be with me always, and one day You will lead me to my eternal home with You. Amen

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain:
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.