God Leads Us Along - George A. Young, 1903

This song has long been an encouragement to me, to know that in each situation, "God leads His dear children along."

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Psalm 23 teaches us that our Lord, our Dear Shepherd leads us to "still waters" and also to "green pastures." Because it is the Lord God of heaven that leads us, we shall not want, meaning we shall not suffer any need, as He is faithful to provide. What wonderful times when we're able to feel the water's cool flow, and taste the rich and sweet pastures of our God.

Refrain

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

I especially love the chorus - it is true that many are led at time through the overwhelming waters that seem to wash us away in affliction's time, some are just completely flooded with misery or pain, while yet others suffer through the fire of affliction - yet we're all bathed in the Blood of Calvary's Lamb! Even in the worst of sorrow, we have the song of redemption to sing, both in the night of affliction, and in the day of rejoicing.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

I'm sure you've experienced the mountain's height - those times when no sorrow could seem to approach you because you were there on Mt. Pisgah, viewing the land of promise, seeing all that is, and shall be in the Lord. Yet, no mountain was so glorious, except before it were some valley. For Moses, it was the knowledge that his sin kept him from the promised land, for us it might be a multitude of affliction. Yet, even in the depths of the very worst valley, God still, and especially then, leads His dear children along.

Refrain

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

The scripture records, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." It might be sorrow or evil, but "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." Through the help of God, "we shall overcome."

Refrain

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

Truly, on this "low ground of sin and sorrow," we are continually bogged down in the mire, often stuck in the clay wishing for our release. The Lord is so faithful to lead us along and help us in our hard journey. He will take us up from the mire, and "away up in glory, eternity's day, God leads His dear children along!" What a joy and relief to know that this too, soon shall pass from mire to glory! What reason to praise to know we have One who leads us through every pathway, through every sorrow, to every joy!

Refrain