Subscribe to continue reading
Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.
I Could Not Do Without Thee
Category Archives: Faith and Trust
A Precious Hope for Wand’ring Sheep
Reply
Hi friends, it’s been a few weeks since I have posted since I am recovering from giving birth to our second daughter, Zoe! Praise God we are all doing well and adjusting to our new life, and so the regular posts will resume within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime I wanted to share this song with you. It was written by a pastor with a desire to encourage the sheep under his care to find hope and assurance in the Great Shepherd. The song is meant to declare the glorious promises of salvation for all who place their faith in Christ. I hope it’s a comfort to you today; enjoy!
A precious hope for wand’ring sheep
It’s not our goodness that redeems
God’s love compelled His mercy flow
O’er every failure grace is shown
A precious hope for wand’ring sheep
To turn from sin is to be free
Bid heavy doubts and fears depart
Through holy joy and godward hearts
Not abandoned, not alone
The Good Shepherd holds His own
Eternal life, eternal joy
Jesus our hope, forevermore
A precious hope for wand’ring sheep
The Father’s grip will never cease
Our name He calls and bids us come
We hear His voice, He loses none
A precious hope for wand’ring sheep
All Christ died for He will keep
When sinful hearts seem to escape
Still Christ pursues all His who’ve strayed
Not abandoned, not alone
The Good Shepherd holds His own
Eternal life, eternal joy
Jesus our hope, forevermore
A precious hope for wand’ring sheep
The Spirit’s work, He will complete
Our weary souls He seals and holds
Until He brings us safely home
Through All the Changing Scenes of Life
Today’s beautiful hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 34 by Nahum Tate (1652–1715) and Nicholas Brady (1659–1726) for the New Version of the Psalms (1696). The words to this one are a lovely meditation to start the week with and I’m particularly fond of the last stanza; enjoy!
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Through all the changing scenes of life,
in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still
my heart and tongue employ.
Of his deliv’rance I will boast,
till all that are distressed,
from my example comfort take
and lay their griefs to rest.
O magnify the LORD with me,
exalt his holy name;
when in distress to him I called,
he to my rescue came.
The hosts of God encamp around
the dwellings of the just;
deliv’rance he affords to all
who in his promise trust.
O taste and see that he is good;
experience will decide
how blest are they, and only they
who in the LORD confide.
Fear him, you saints, and you will then
have nothing else to fear;
make serving him your sole delight,
your wants shall be his care.
What God Ordains Is Always Good
Today’a hymn comes from Samuel Rodigast, a German philosophy teacher at the University of Jena in the late 1600s. Originally written in German, many of us will recognise the song translated by Catherine Winkworth as “Whatever My God Ordains Is Right”, however the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal has the alternative translation below; slightly different words and yet still a great reminder. Enjoy!
What God ordains is always good;
His will is just and holy.
As He directs my life for me,
I follow meek and lowly.
My God indeed in ev’ry need
knows well how He will shield me;
to Him, then, I will yield me.
What God ordains is always good;
He never will deceive me.
He leads me in His righteous way,
and never will He leave me.
I take, content, what He has sent;
His hand that sends me sadness
will turn my tears to gladness.
What God ordains is always good;
His loving thought attends me;
no poison can be in the cup
that my Physician sends me.
My God is true; each morning new
I trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.
What God ordains is always good;
He is my Friend and Father.
He suffers naught to do me harm
tho’ many storms may gather.
Now I may know both joy and woe;
some day I shall see clearly
that He has loved me dearly.
What God ordains is always good;
tho’ I the cup am drinking
which savors now of bitterness,
I take it without shrinking.
For after grief God gives relief,
my heart with comfort filling
and all my sorrow stilling.
What God ordains is always good;
this truth remains unshaken.
Tho’ sorrow, need, or death be mine,
I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm, for with His arm
He shall embrace and shield me;
so to my God I yield me.
Where Thou Leadest Me
Today’s song comes from one of today’s most prolific modern day hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Bryan Fowler. I hope you can say with them “I will go wherever you lead me Lord”; enjoy!
Where Thou leadest me
I dare not find complaint
For Thou hast never left
Nor will for all my days
Thy presence is my good
And it shall ever be
I will go where Thou leadest me
Sovereign is Thy hand
To guide me when I’m worn
Thy good and perfect will
Holds fast through every storm
What time I am afraid
My faith looks up to Thee
I will trust where Thou leadest me
Refrain
On the mountain high
Through the valley deep
I will go where Thou leadest me
O Shepherd keep me near
For I am prone to stray
The frailty of my flesh
Seeks refuge in Thy grace
This promise is my peace
My soul is safe in Thee
I will rest as Thou leadest me [Refrain]
Savior light my path
Until that final day
If Thou art Lord of life
Why should I fear the grave?
Proud death has lost its sting
For all eternity
I will rise where Thou leadest me
Home with Christ where Thou leadest me [Refrain]
Cast Thy Burden On The Lord
Today’s hymn comes from an anonymous writer, and was included in Rowland Hill’s Psalms and Hymns collection in 1783, and was entitled, “Encouragement for the Weak”1. This one definitely is an encouragement for the weak and hope it encourages you today; enjoy!
Meter: 7.7.7.7
Cast thy burden on the Lord,
Only lean upon His Word;
Thou wilt soon have cause to bless
His eternal faithfulness.
He sustains thee by His hand,
He enables thee to stand;
Those whom Jesus once hath loved
From His grace are never moved.
Human counsels come to naught;
That shall stand which God hath wrought;
His compassion, love, and power,
Are the same for evermore.
Heaven and earth may pass away,
God’s free grace shall not decay;
He hath promised to fulfill
All the pleasure of His will.
Jesus, Guardian of Thy flock,
Be Thyself our constant Rock;
Make us, by Thy powerful hand,
Strong as Zion’s mountain stand.
1hymnary.org/text/cast_thy_burden_on_the_lord_only_lean_up?extended=true
O Child of God, Wait Patiently
Today’s hymn is written by Fanny Crosby, who needs no introduction! I’m sure someone today needs to read this; enjoy!
O child of God, wait patiently
When dark thy path may be,
And let thy faith lean trustingly
On Him who cares for Thee;
And though the clouds hang drearily
Upon the brow of night,
Yet in the morning joy will come,
And fill thy soul with light.
O child of God, He loveth thee,
And thou art all His own;
With gentle hand He leadeth thee,
Thou dost not walk alone;
And though thou watchest wearily
The long and stormy night,
Yet in the morning joy will come,
And fill thy soul with light.
O child of God, how peacefully
He calms thy fears to rest,
And draws thee upward tenderly,
Where dwell the pure and blest;
And He who bendeth silently
Above the gloom of night,
Will take thee home where endless joy
Shall fill thy soul with light.
Victory Over the Fears of Death
Today’s hymn comes from Isaac Watts. The tune is included for you below to sing along. The last stanza is a lovely benediction to begin the week with; enjoy!
O for an overcoming faith,
To cheer my dying hours,
To triumph o’er the monster, Death,
And all his frightful powers.
Joyful with all the strength I have
My quivering lips should sing,
“Where is thy boasted victory, Grave?
And where’s the monster’s sting?”
If sin be pardoned, I’m secure;
Death has no sting beside;
The law gives sin its damning power,
But Christ, my ransom, died.
Now to the God of victory
Immortal thanks be paid,
Who makes us conquerors, though we die,
Through Christ our living Head.
I Am Trusting
Today’s hymn comes from Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879), an English religious poet and hymnwriter. One of her most famous hymns is “Take My Life and Let It Be”. It was said, however, that this was her favourite hymn; it was found in her pocket Bible after her death1. Can you say today that you are trusting Jesus alone? I hope so! Enjoy!
I am trusting Thee, Lord, Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free.
I am trusting Thee for pardon;
At Thy feet I bow;
For Thy grace and tender mercy,
Trusting now.
I am trusting Thee for cleansing
In the crimson flood;
Trusting Thee to make me holy
By Thy blood.
I am trusting Thee to guide me;
Thou alone shalt lead;
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.
I am trusting Thee for power,
Thine can never fail;
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me
Must prevail.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall;
I am trusting Thee forever,
And for all.
1hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/a/m/t/iamtrust.htm
Jesus Never Fails
Today’s hymn comes from Arthur Abner Luther (1891-1960) a congregational minister form the US. This hymn is a simple, yet needed reminder that Jesus Christ will never leave you nor forsake you. I hope this encourages you today; enjoy!
Earthly friends may prove untrue,
Doubts and fears assail;
One still loves and cares for you,
One who will not fail.
Refrain:
Jesus never fails,
Jesus never fails;
Heav’n and earth may pass away,
But Jesus never fails.
Tho’ the sky be dark and drear,
Fierce and strong the gale;
Just remember He is near,
And He will not fail. [Refrain]
In life’s dark and bitter hour
Love will still prevail;
Trust His everlasting pow’r
Jesus will not fail. [Refrain]
Hymn of the Day 