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Savior,
Like a Shepherd Lead Us!
Christian Devotional by Pastor Cecil Thompson
Pastor
Cecil Thompson |
Hebrews 13:21-22
"May
the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His
will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
This week we continue to examine stories surrounding
the great hymns of the faith. Our failure to pause and consider the words
and intent of many of these hymns is tragic. It makes you wonder what
people in future generations will be able to say about the music of our
day.
One Christmas Eve, Ira D. Sankey was traveling by steamboat up
the Delaware River. Asked to sing, Mr. Sankey sang the "Shepherd
Song." After the song was ended, a man with a rough, weather-beaten
face came up to Mr. Sankey and said: "Did you ever serve
in the Union Army?" "Yes," answered
Mr. Sankey, "in the spring of 1860."
"Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit
night in 1862?" "Yes," answered Mr. Sankey, very much surprised.
"So did I," said the stranger, "but I was serving in the
Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post I said
to myself: 'That fellow will never get away from here alive.' I raised my musket
and took aim. I was standing in the shadow completely concealed,
while the full light of the moon was falling upon you."
"At that instant," continued the man, "just as a moment
ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing. Music,
especially song, has always had a wonderful power over me, and I took my finger
off the trigger. 'Let him sing his song to the end,' I said to myself. 'I
can shoot him afterwards. He's my victim at all events, and my
bullet cannot miss him.' "
The man continued: "The song you sang then was the song
you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: 'We are Thine,
do Thou befriend us, Be the guardian of our way.' Those words
stirred up many memories in my heart. I began to think of my
childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many, many times
sung that song to me. But she died all too soon, otherwise much
in my life would no doubt have been different."
"When you had finished your song it was impossible for me to take
aim at you again. I thought: 'The Lord who is able to save that
man from certain death must surely be great and mighty' and my arm of its own
accord dropped limp at my side."
"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" by
Ira D. Sankey
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use Thy
folds prepare.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, Thou dost befriend
us,
be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend
us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to Thee.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor,
early
let us do Thy will;
Blessed
Lord and only Savior,
with Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus,
blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed
Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk
with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
--- Pastor Cecil
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