by Sherelyn Mayberry
Synopsis: Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915) was one of the most prolific in history. Sherelyn explores the biblical foundation of these beautiful lyrics and encourages her sisters to follow the Good Shepherd.
In the song, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” (PHSS #658), we acknowledge Jesus as our guide and stay. He leads us through the inspired word given by the Holy Spirit. When we make “the faith” our faith (Rom. 1:16-17; Jude 3), we experience hope and joy as we look for an eternal home with our Savior.
Through His kindness and mercy, God offers salvation, enabling us to be justified by His grace. Hope grows stronger as we allow God to lovingly lead us on our journey, molding us according to His word. What more could we ask of Him? Through God’s tender mercy, the Sunrise visited us to guide us in the path of peace (Luke 1:78-79). Christ preached peace to those far and near. Through Him, and the power of the Holy Spirit manifested through the word, we have access to God (Eph. 2:17-18). God made us alive through Christ as we were raised from the watery grave of baptism. Looking forward to being seated with Christ in the heavenly places, we know our salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:4-8; Rom. 6:3-4).
The Holy Spirit is also identified as the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who (through apostolic revelation) guides us into all the truth (John 14:16-17; 16:13). My comfort in affliction comes from God’s word reviving me (Ps. 119:50). So, if afflicted or comforted, God is our comforter leading to salvation (2 Cor. 1:3-7). Where will you turn for comfort? Psalm 25:5 says, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You, I wait all the day.”
The path of life with God is fullness of joy and pleasures forever (Ps. 16:11). When troubles come, the Lord is our shepherd who restores our soul, guiding us in the path of righteousness (Ps. 23:3). Considering it all joy when we encounter trials, we realize that testing can lead to endurance, and we become perfect and complete. This perseverance under trials with God’s approval brings a crown of life (Jas. 1:2-4, 12). If my spirit is overwhelmed and my steps falter, God knows my path and the traps hidden along the way. Cry to the Lord for deliverance, and He will deal bountifully with you (Ps. 142:3, 5-7).
Jesus feeds us with His living bread that sustains us forever—if we partake of it (John 6:48-51). Instead of craving spiritual junk food, let us feast on the word of God. When you thirst for spiritual drink, turn to Him in faith to receive living water. He gives water from a well, springing to eternal life (John 4:14; 7:37-38). Be like faithful Israel: If they would call on the Lord and help the afflicted, “Your gloom will become like midday” (Isa. 58:9-11). The Lord will lead you and give you strength. You will be like a watered garden: springs of joy will replenish you.
God so loved the world that He gave His Son (John 3:16). He manifested the fullness of His love by sending His Son that we might live (1 John 4:9). Are you weary and heavy-laden? Return to Him in love. Let Him lead you to rest. Perfect rest is promised to those who come to Him. Those who die in the Lord, having kept His commandments, rest from their labors (Matt. 11:28; Rev. 14:13). This promise is for those who are near and those who are far off. It is freely available to all who call on the Lord through obedience by putting on Christ in baptism (Acts 2:39-41). Like the Psalmist, we implore, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest” (Ps. 55:6).
When Christ returns to lead us home, the faithful will be changed and put on immortality—enjoying victory through Him. We wait with hope for Jesus to transform our body into conformity with the body of His glory (1 Cor. 15:51-57; Phil. 3:20). With this transformed body, we go to a mansion prepared to spend eternity in the shadow of God’s wings (John 14:2-3; Ps. 63:7). We will sing for joy, “Jesus led me all the way.”
Sherelyn Mayberry
Sherelyn is the wife of Mark Mayberry, who labors with the Adoue Street congregation in Alvin, TX as an evangelist and elder. She can be reached at sherelynmayberry@live.com.
