Great Jehovah Guides Me
Welsh hymn writer William Williams
(1717-1791) compared the Christian
life to the Israelites’ trek through
the wilderness. We may not know
the route God is leading us, but
we humbly count on His guidance.
For 43 years he preached and sang
throughout Wales. He sang Wales
into piety & revival said one writer.
Soon all of Wales was singing their
way to the coal mines and soccer
matches. And their favourite hymn
was this hymn inspired by Isaiah 58.
Lord, Guide us Great Jehovah:
Is not this the kind of fasting I’ve
chosen: to loose the chains of
injustice to set the oppressed free
and to break every yoke (Isa 58:6).
Is it not to share your bread with
the hungry, and bring to your house
the poor who are cast out (v7).
The Lord will Guide you continually,
giving you water when you are
dry and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered
garden, like an ever-flowing
spring. Your children will rebuild
the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as the
people who rebuild their walls
and cities (Isa 58:11-12).
Lord, help me to be disciplined
enough to fast and pray
as You would have me to.
For I need to deny the desires
of the flesh in order to focus
on my need for more of You.
For I need to break every yoke
of oppression in my life and the
lives of others so that we will
see great breakthroughs. Amen.
Lord, You are my refuge & Strength,
an ever present helper in trouble.
Help me to cling to the truth that
You are the all-powerful God and
there’s nothing too difficult for You.
Give me strength to face troubled
times with confidence knowing Your
strength is perfected in weakness.
Guide me O Thou great Jehovah
and grant wisdom for all the tasks
that will cross my daily path. Amen.
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more…
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength & shield
Be Thou still my strength & shield.