Yesterday at church during the hymnal session we are singing the hymn “God Lead Us Along” by George Young

Out of curiosity, I did a short search on this Pastor, and here is some information on how does this hymn came into being

In 1903, a song was published by preacher George Young entitled, God Leads Us Along. In the chorus, Pastor Young revealed the catalyst for the writing of the song when he wrote these words of the refrain.

After many years of sacrifice, this country preacher and his wife had saved enough money to build a home of their own. Pastor Young was handy with a hammer as well as with a Bible so, in short time, a new home was completed. The many years of low pay and thankless hours would be but faint memories now. A dream that often seemed impossible had come true. The Young’s loved their new home, but loved the Lord all the more; and because of this, they continued their ministry of traveling and sharing the good news. It was during one of these trips that disaster struck. Someone, not in favor of Pastor Young’s ministry, set fire to the family’s home while they were away. When George returned, he found a pile of ashes. All his earthly possessions were now gone. Then Pastor Young remembered the priceless things that fire cannot destroy. In his suffering, he could see God’s leading and a greater appreciation of what really counts.

 This hymn specially caught my attention, as earlier, there was a young church brother whom i was sharing something that happens in office. He asked me “Why do you run into such problems so often?”.  For a while, I wonder, perhaps it is because the other members in church are much stronger then me and can take such problems in the workplace in its stride, or perhaps it is Gods blessing that they do not encountered such funny request and ridiculous orders.

As I am pondering this, God seems to have answered me in the hymn’s chorus.  “Some thru the waters, some thru the flood, some thru the fire, but all thru the blood, some thru great sorrow, but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.”

This hymn is inspired from Jn 10:1-5 which reads ” 1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Here it depicts Jesus as our shepherd who lead us to green pastures and cool waters.  I guess Gods answer to me is that, sometimes he may lead us through tough and difficult times, even though not many members of the church may understand, and some may even pass nasty comments at us. Remember that God is always the good shepherd that loves us all the way. Even if he were to lead us into the dark shadows and many sorrows, God will always give us a song to sing, until the night is over and all the day long.

God Leads Us Along by George A. Young, 1903

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.

Refrain:

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.

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.

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.

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 tried to find a sing a long for the hymn, but the Youtube version do not have the full hymn sung, hence I can only get this copy from a public domain website

Play the hymn here (Right Click and open a new window)