When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We conclude our journey through this great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. More often than not, we need some help to make it through. God is always there waiting to give that help if we will only ask. Let’s think about this.

Slippery Rocks

Growing up in the mountains I have always loved putting my feet in the refreshingly cool, crisp waters of a stream. But you must be careful. The stones along a moving body of water can be treacherous due to moss and moisture. On many occasion I have had to contort my body in awkward positions so as not to tumble onto those slippery and very hard rocks.

As a father, I have many memories of introducing my four boys to the simple joys of this experience, but not without a degree of drama. See I know how treacherous those slippery rocks can be, but they did not. I would hold their hands tightly, the younger they were the more tightly I held, as we made our way along the stones sometimes to the middle of the stream. They would try to pull away, sometimes successfully, but I would always take hold of them hands and guide them to the best places to step in my attempt to keep them safe.

Our Heavenly Father does the same for us.

Life presents us with any number of very tempting and slippery situations. We are often unaware of the peril they present. Our Father is not He is willing to walk along the edge of the water with us, guiding our steps and holding our hands. When we yield to His care, He keeps us safe, even though there may be some twists and turns.

This is never more true than in the final passage through the transition from this life to the next. Our learning to trust Him through smaller, simpler perils will give us an increasing measure of confidence in Him as we approach that last one. This is imperative as we long to see our soul delivered even through death.

At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. Psalm 56:13 ESV

We will all face death, but God is able to deliver us even through that peril. He will keep our feet from falling, and guide us through safely so we may walk with Him in the light of life eternal. He is a good Father and wants to keep your soul safe. Will you let Him?

RESONATE!
God’s care through the perils of this life can prepare us for the last, great one at our passing into eternity. Are you trusting Him with your perils? Maybe like a child you have pulled your hand away wanting to face it on your own. Maybe you have realized that is often not a great idea. Ask the Spirit to reveal if there are any perils you are facing today where you are not putting your hand in God’s. Confess whatever He reveals and determine to put your hand back into Your Father’s again today. 

Excruciating Circumstances

Trusting someone through perils can be challenging for a self-reliant child, and many a self-reliant adult, and the maturity that when demonstrate in those moments is not easily gleaned. Even still, those are often not the situations that test our trust the most. Whether physical, emotional, spiritual or relational, pain affects us even more than the rush of adrenaline caused by peril.

There are probably many reasons why but they can be grouped in one of two larger areas: the acute nature of pain, and the lingering effect it has on our trust in God. We will consider the simpler, former reason first, then move on to the more complex, latter one.

Let’s use an example. You are rushing around doing some tasks and you drop something. In your hurry you bend over without realizing their is now something in the path of our your head as you raise up. You hit your noggin so hard that you get an immediate headache and your vision blurs, partly because of the tears. You totally forget everything else you were doing because you are so fixated on the pain.

Pain effects us first because of the acute nature of it. Even after the fact there is a reminder of the injury. Sometimes this makes other things difficult because whenever you do not have anything else to think about, you go back to this incident.

While that is problematic to our trust in God, the lingering effects on our hearts and minds can be even more troublesome. Sometimes we wonder why God would allow that pain. We question why we are not healing faster. This line of thinking effects our trust in Him, when we probably should be asking questions that affirm our trust. Questions like, “I wonder what purpose God has for this pain in my life?” Not easy, but essential.

We can develop that kind of trust when we ask Him to lead us, and then remember His promises.

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

Think of it this way. If we can trust God to lead us home, that is to lead us through death into His promised rest, certainly we can trust Him for everything else that leads to our passing into eternity. If you love God, you are responding to His call. You are likely to have demonstrated that by trusting in Christ and becoming His child. You can trust that God works all things together for your good, even your death.

If we grasp that perspective, it changes how we think of the pains of this life. Rather than blaming God for them, we can grow to trust that He has a purpose in them that is higher than ours. This is not an easy truth to practice, but doing so is essential to our faith, and prepares us for that final pain at the end of this life.

RESONATE!
Are you trusting God to use everything, including your pain, for your good? Ask the Spirit to reveal if there is anything you are struggling with when it comes to past pains in your life. As He reveals anything, ask Him to turn those things into opportunities to grow your trust, through every twist and turn of life, until you arrive at the final one.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
At the River I Stand, Guide My Feet, Hold My Hand – https://pixabay.com/photos/man-wilderness-nature-river-1246233/
Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Lead Me Home – https://pixabay.com/photos/slap-hand-open-fingers-4379830/

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through this great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. More often than not, we need some help to make it through. God is always there waiting to give that help if we will only ask. Let’s think about this.

Help

“Daddy, help”. The call of many small children when faced with a problem that seems a bit more than they can handle on their own. Something has brought them to the realization that they may need some assistance. Who better to ask than big, strong Dad.

“Lord, help”. The cry of too few of God’s children when faced with a problem that seems a bit more than they can handle on their own. Something has brought them to the realization that they may need some assistance. But many fail to ask for a hand from Father God.

Has that ever been you? Have you found yourself at the end of yourself and were reluctant to cry out to God? Do you know why? Sometimes it is pride. Sometimes the fear of disappointment, or of being confronted with the reality of having created your difficult circumstance through your own choices. No matter the reason, we should never hesitate to call on God for the help He longs to give.

Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. Psalm 39:12 ESV

We are all on a journey, like all those who have gone before us. The sooner we humble ourselves at the reality that we need help, the better off we will be. He wants to usher His peace into even the most trying of circumstances, if we would but ask.

RESONATE!
So what is stopping you? Maybe there is some trouble you are facing right now which could benefit from God’s care. Maybe there is something coming tomorrow. Rest in the fact that if you call on Him, He will answer. Ask the Spirit to help you call on God today, so you are ready to cry out to Him when you next need Him.

Home

Next week we are going to look more deeply into God taking us all the way to our eternal abode, heaven. For our purposes this week, we are going to think of home as the place where you can find rest. You can be at peace. You are comfortable.

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; Isaiah 42:6a ESV

He is the Lord. Present tense.

He has called you in righteousness. Past tense.

He will take you by the hand and keep you. Future tense.

You can find abiding rest in the fact that our God has authority over past, present, and future. When you cry out to Him, you are invoking the God of all ages to take your hand and keep you. And He does. No matter what comes.

That keeping is represented to us in the physical by spaces where we can commune with God. Maybe that is home for you, or maybe you have carved out some other private-ish area where you can meet with God and He can keep your soul at rest.

It is important to develop such a place. Maybe the most important aspect of it is the timeframe, not even the space. Whatever form it takes, you can not only cry out to God, but trust Him to lead you to that place.

What an incredible promise! Out of who He is flows this wonderful truth. We are called in righteousness. He will take us by the hand and keep us through everything that comes our way, even beyond this life. Ask Him to take your hand today and rest in His keeping power.

When we do cry out and call on Him, He will take our hand and keep us from falling, or help us up. But He does not stop there. He wants us to stay attuned to His leading so that He can lead us through those dangers and ultimately all the way home.

God, take my hand and lead me home.

RESONATE!
Are you going through something right now that has you thinking, “I just want to go home?” If not, you have, and eventually we all will experience that again. So prepare to go through it with the confidence that God will keep you, leading you to a place of rest. Ask Him again today to take your hand so you can become even more familiar with His leading than even the temporary destination we call home.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Hear my Cry, Hear My Call – https://pixabay.com/photos/prayer-hands-church-light-2544994/
Take My Hand, Precious Lord – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-hand-together-prayer-5216585/

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through this great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. The last few weeks we considered the importance of holding to God’s unchanging hand, now we rest in the fact that He holds ours. Let’s think about this.

The Many Forms of Darkness

Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Darkness takes many forms. Whether it be storms within or without which assail our souls, the the grim cloak of night ushered in with the setting sun, or any other darkness delivered to us by others or invited in by our own thoughts, words, or behavior we must all deal with these harbingers of heaviness. How we choose to deal with them determines just how likely we will be able to walk through them.

Think for just a moment what comes to mind with the word darkness. That first impulse is likely the thing that you fear, dislike, to struggle with the most. Name it. You know what it is, don’t you? Maybe a few things come to mind.  That’s ok. Name each one, but let’s keep it to those things that come quickly to mind for now.

The reason being there is in some sense to end to the things that can assault our tempest-tossed souls, but for our purposes here we want to put some things in place which will help us deal with them. We want to be able to talk to Jesus about them. He is the One who can help us find our way through them better than anyone or anything else. That’s what He promised us.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

So the things that came to mind are your darkness. You may be tempted to question Jesus’ words because you feel like there have
been times when you were absolutely walking in darkness, maybe you even feel that way today, but I assure you, the light of Jesus Christ can illumine even the most pervasive darkness. Consider the words or Corrie Ten Boom about the situations we find ourselves which ultimately reveal to us that God is there. “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”

Though we all have sources of darkness, they do not have to be what characterizes our walk. If we walk in the dark we are likely to get injured. Jesus promises that we do not have to face our darkness that way. He has promised He will be light so we can see where we are going, and see the dangers for what they are, all against the backdrop of His light of life.

RESONATE!
What are those pits? What are those things in your life that are sources of darkness? Storms, night, illness, loss, grief, pain. Bring them to Jesus right now. You may have brought them before. You may have been bringing them for years. Bring them again. Name each one as it comes to mind.  We are going to take each of those to Jesus today.

The Remedy for it All

Do not be overwhelmed by the darkness you have just named. That darkness is going to be overwhelmed by the light of Jesus Christ. Let’s think for a moment how that light brings life by becoming the hand which guides us through the darkness.

When a ship is battling against a storm and trying to make it to shore it can be very dangerous. The lighthouse becomes a beacon that first of all helps the crew to find their way to shore. It gives them a point of reference. They focus on the light, not the storm, as they make their way to safety.

Once they get close, the lighthouse assures they do not crash into the rocks. It warns them that there is danger nearby and gives them a context within we they can navigate any from the perils of the open sea to the safety of the harbor. It helps them find their way home.

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 ESV

When we ask God to take our hand it is often first to receive comfort from His presence. In His presence we find hope and our fear begins to dissipate, like those at sea when they first see the light in the darkness. But also like them we are often far from danger.

We trust the surety and strength of His hand to lead us safely home. He holds us through the danger and helps us to safety, again like the lighthouse to those at sea. It is important for us to focus on His hand, the light, rather than the dark dangers so we are going to practice that as we close out today.

RESONATE!
Recall those sources of darkness you names earlier. Now let’s focus instead on the light of God’s presence. Bring each one before Jesus and His light of life. They will begin to become a little less bothersome in His light. Whenever they come to mind after these moments drag them into the light of His presence again and find comfort to face them. He will help you. He is for you. He is holding your hand. He is your light and so you do not walk in darkness.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Through the Storm, Through the Night – https://pixabay.com/photos/flash-thunder-forward-nature-4244923/
Lead Me On to the Light – https://pixabay.com/photos/lighthouse-evening-abendstimmung-4846855/

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We conclude our journey through this hymn that challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Looking forward to what God has in store for us impacts how we journey through these days. Let’s think about this.

Home

I have said many times before that it is sad how little time we spend thinking, talking, and teaching about heaven, especially considering how much time we are going to spend there. So let’s change that for at least the next few minutes.

When was the last time you thought about it? Heaven. The place where we are planning to spend eternity. I guess one could argue, I already have my inheritance there and it is my reward for following Christ, nothing more needing to be done to earn it. And while all that is true, thinking about where we are going to spend the rest of forever has an impact on the quality of life in these days.

Fair and bright the home in glory

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

Jesus promised not only that He was going to prepare a place for us, but that He would return to take us there. We have a home in glory. It will be fair and bright. We will see it with our eyes one day, but for now, we need Jesus to give us eyes of faith to see, even if only with our mind’s eye, our eternal home.

So what do you imagine it will be like? Clouds and harps? Maybe, but I do not think that will be all. I think we will enjoy God and each other. Think of the things you do in your home. Rest and relate with a smaller group of people. Prepare for the activities which take you beyond your home.

Some of us have spent a lot more time at home these past few months. At times I am sure that has driven you crazy, wanting to get out and do other things, but I hope you have also made the most of the quarantine to spend it enjoying those who were with you. It has probably also caused you to long for the experiences that home is not designed for, gathering in larger groups.

RESONATE!
We can enjoy our homes here, but we must also be careful to long for that which is coming. All the good things here are a shadow of what is to come. Are you longing for that home in glory, fair and bright as it will certainly be? Take a few moments before you read on and simply ask the Holy Spirit to give you an even deeper longing for your home in glory.

Gaze

Your enraptured soul will view. 

There’s an unusual word, enraptured. If something enraptures your soul, it is giving intense pleasure or joy to you. Certainly that will be the effect viewing our eternal home will have on us, in all its fairness and brightness.

When we finally see that place Jesus has been preparing for us, our souls will be consumed with intense pleasure and unimaginable joy. I can hardly wait. But even still, sometimes it is difficult to lift my gaze enough to allow it to be filled with that longing for my eternal home.

How about you? When was the last time you looked into the skies and hoped the return of Christ would happen soon? If it has been awhile, take a few moments right and do so. Maybe you can even get outside and look up. If not, look at the image above and utter a simple prayer like this. Thank You, Jesus, for promising to return to take me to the home You have been preparing for me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 ESV

We look forward to that eternal dwelling in the house of the Lord, but let us not forget the promise of goodness and mercy following us either. I would argue that knowing we will dwell in the Lord’s presence forever allows us to receive and extend mercy and help create an atmosphere where goodness is left in the wake of wherever we trod. What are you doing to cultivate goodness and mercy where you are so there can be a residue of them left behind even after you leave? May God give us the grace to build our hopes on things eternal, and live is such a way that anticipates them while inviting others to do the same.

RESONATE!
Ask God to help you to evaluate if your living is leaving goodness and mercy behind you. Ask Him to show you if there are ways you are too focused on daily living and how you can adjust your thinking to be more eternal. We all need to keep our gaze up, ever mindful of where we will spend forever, without losing sight of today. Help us, Lord.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Fair and Bright Your Home in Glory – https://pixabay.com/photos/cloud-sky-yellow-sunshine-sunset-143152/
Your Enraptured Soul Will View – https://pixabay.com/photos/summerfield-woman-girl-sunset-336672/

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days, and the eternal hope of God in heaven. How exactly are we supposed to seek heavenly treasures?  Let’s think about this.

Where Your Treasure Is…

It is important to be careful what treasures you are seeking, because they reveal where your heart is. Jesus taught us to seek heavenly treasures, but not until after He warned us of the fleeting nature of earthly ones, which can be destroyed or stolen. This stanza echoes the teaching of Christ. Having asked the Spirit to reveal and turn our hearts away from any covetousness in our Tuesday Tuning, we now ask Him to fill our minds with a clearer perspective on the treasures we should seek.

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV

These words of Jesus are the second half of a teaching on treasures. Here He points our souls toward not only the inestimable value of treasures which are stored up in heaven, but their security. The treasures which we seek in heaven can not be eaten up, and are not subject to decay or theft. When we labor toward treasures that are stored up in heaven, we can do so with the confidence that they are safe.

The challenge for us is to develop an eternal perspective. It is so easy to focus on life as we see it here and now. That focus influences our thinking, and our thinking where we invest our energies.

We all need food, clothing and shelter as we journey along here, and so we understandably spend some energies on those pursuits. The problem arises when we find our security or our identity in them, or other earthly things, all subject to decay.

So how do we avoid vain pursuits? By valuing things that will last. When we do this, we guard our hearts and minds from being consumed by things that do not matter eternally. When making decisions about how to spend our energies, we must ask some questions. Do I need this? Will pursuing it store up treasure? If so, where?

As you answer those questions and others like them, you will gain and maintain the perspective that will help you lay up treasures in heaven. And just what are those? We will think more on that in the next section, but first take a few minutes to cultivate a desire to seek heavenly treasures.

RESONATE!
Jesus, help me seek the eternal treasures of heaven. Help me question my motivation when I engage in pursuits great and small. Are any of my current pursuits hindering my search for heavenly treasures? Show me and give me the courage to redirect those energies toward eternal things. Are there other pursuits You are placing before me that could aid my search? Please make it clear today, Jesus.

Your Heart Will Be Also

The treasures that we lay up in heaven are best felt in this life in the heart. The enduring nature of those treasures alone makes them more valuable than the riches of earth, but the disparity between them is best revealed in the effect they have on us. The hope of heaven’s treasures never fails and that makes all the difference when all else fails.

They will never pass away.

…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  I Peter 1:3b, 4 ESV

We have been born again in a living hope. We have an inheritance that is eternal. When we build on that inheritance, we are putting our hopes on things that will last forever. They will not die. They can not be corrupted, nor can their brightness fade.

When we are seeking those kinds of treasures, not only does it change what we are pursuing, it changes the way we pursue. When our hearts are set on things above, things kept in heaven for us by God’s unchanging hand, we are able to build our hopes on eternal things. 

RESONATE!
Are you pursuing things that will never pass away? Is your heart set on your inheritance in Christ? Ask the Spirit to reveal other passions which may compete with this and threaten to siphon away your hope. Ask Him to help you set your heart and build your hope on things eternal. Then praise God for the hope that is eternal, which we find when we hold His unchanging hand. 

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Seek to Gain the Heavenly Treasures – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chest-treasure-wood-box-1657362/
They Will Never Pass Away – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/diamond-isolated-transparent-1857736/