All the Way My Savior Leads Me

I have really enjoyed digging into Psalm 23 this past month. The book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Philip Keller has brought a new understanding to this psalm as I have looked at it from the perspective of a sheep.

My master Shepherd, Jesus is with me all the way. Every step I take, He is there leading and guiding me to the paths I need to be traveling. The pathways of this life are difficult. It's not an easy road. I'm going to experience pain, grief, frustration, anger, disappointment, etc, but there is one thing I can always count on, and that is Jesus' love for me. He loves me enough that He laid down His life for me so I could spend eternity with Him. He has gone before me to prepare the way. He already knows what's up ahead and is ready to walk through it with me and even carry me at times when I don't have the strength to go any further. 

At times, I find I get frustrated wondering where God is or why He's doing what He's doing. I have to be intentional sometimes in getting my focus back where it needs to be. It's hard to praise God and thank Him in some circumstances, yet Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells me to "rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances." Why should I rejoice always? Why should I give thanks in all circumstances? Paul goes on to say because "this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." There are times when being thankful and giving praise is a sacrifice.  The psalmist in Psalm 116:17 refers to thanksgiving as a sacrifice when he says, "I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."  Hebrews 13:15 says, "...let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise..." Continually praising God and thanking Him doesn't mean I'm going to be "happy" and feel "good" all the time. What it does mean, though, is that I can have a heart of gratitude and praise in the midst of the tears and difficult circumstances because I know that everything that happens to me serves to make me more like Christ. Becoming more like Christ will involve suffering. When I can praise God in the midst of those storms, those trials, I am offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. I find as I praise and thank God in those storms, my focus is turned upward instead of inward at myself or outward at the world, and I begin to experience a peace that only God can give.

There is a beautiful hymn, written by Fanny Crosby, All the Way My Savior Leads Me that sums it all up. Fanny Crosby has such a beautiful testimony. If you are unfamiliar with her testimony, I encourage you to read it.

It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me. If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior. Fanny Crosby

Oh, what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't. To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot, and I won't. Fanny Crosby

Chris Tomlin, has a more recent version of the song, All the Way My Savior Leads Me. Some of the words have changed, but it is still another beautiful song. 

I am so thankful for my Shepherd Who is with me every single step of the way. He knows my every need, and He provides for my needs in His perfect timing. He never leaves me or forsakes me. He is there to pick me up when I fall; He is there to heal my wounds; He gives me the strength I need when I'm too tired to continue; He is there to guide me back when I wander away. What a comfort that is! I am proud to say, as David did in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd!" I belong to Him and He is mine!