Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 618)
1 Guide me ever, great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain
where the healing waters flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,
shield me with your mighty arm,
shield me with your mighty arm.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs and praises, songs and praises
I will raise forevermore,
I will raise forevermore.
Text: William Williams; Music: John Hughes; Public Domain
Devotion
I believe all of us can identify with this first-person hymn of faith. The composer, founder of Welsh Methodism, William Williams, uses Israel’s Exodus and Wilderness wanderings to describe life’s faith-journey. Each of us in our own way has come to a personal faith relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our “Great Redeemer.” We have come to realize the values of the world do not satisfy our spiritual needs. Out of our personal wilderness need we pray for and receive God’s gracious guidance, protection, sustenance, and deliverance. Our ever-faithful God provides all we need for daily life, bread for the journey, the “Bread of Heaven,” Jesus Christ. God is love. And perfect love drives out fear. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection our Lord has conquered death; nothing can separate us from the love of God. One day each of us will cross over to the indescribable heavenly realm God has prepared for us. There we will worship our God with timeless praise! Let the people say Amen!
Prayer
Great Redeemer, you have saved me from my sinful self and the world. Guide me always in your truth; your way and Word alone is truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.