Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 16
(1) Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Born in 1899, Thomas A. Dorsey wrote about three hundred gospel songs and directed choirs for more than 50 years, most of that in Chicago. After he gave his life to Christ, he became a leader in the gospel music ministry of his day.
The most well known song that he had composed was one given by God in the night, a song of prayer born in a moment of deep sorrow. Dorsey’s wife was due to bear their first child when he was called to sing at a series of revival meetings in St. Louis. He was reluctant, but his wife persuaded him to go.
During the first night of meetings a telegram was brought to him while he was on the platform. It told the tragic news that his wife had died giving birth to their son. He drove back to Chicago and within a few hours, his infant son also was called home. He buried his wife and son in the same casket.
In his despondency, he went to visit a friend. After walking and talking, he went to a room with a piano, sat down and began to improvise on the keyboard.
He found himself composing a melody and began to sing the words that God gave him, “through the storm, through the night.”
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, help me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near –
When my life is almost gone.
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall –
Take my hand, Precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When darkness appears,
And night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
Thomas Dorsey’s song has sung its way around the world. It speaks a prayer that we all have need to offer. In our infirmities and in our weaknesses, in our storms and in our sorrows, and in the night seasons of our soul, we come to the place where we need to pray, “Precious Lord, take my hand.”
How assuring to know that the Lord has promised in Isaiah 41:13, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” May we know the strong and comforting hand of God, taking hold of our hand, helping and guiding us through the storms and stresses of life!
[Extracted and edited from Henry Gariepy’s Song’s in the Night]
(2) Church Camp 2015
The theme of our camp is “Looking for that Blessed Hope” based on Titus 2:13a. We look forward to a time of spiritual blessing as we draw nigh to God in the devotional study of His Word for our souls’ nourishment. The date for our camp is 17 – 20 June 2015. Registration forms are available from today.
Our camp site is Hotel Jen (formerly known as Traders Hotel) at the Puteri Harbour in Johor Bahru. It is a 30-minute drive from Singapore’s Tuas Custom Checkpoint.
We encourage you to take time off your daily schedule for this annual retreat together. Going for church camp is a worthwhile spiritual investment of time and resources for you and your family. The “attractions” of the world will seduce God’s people from spiritual endeavours. May His people remain steadfast to walk with the LORD God!
The psalmist testified of blessings of fruitfulness and spiritual prosperity when we keep ourselves away from ungodliness, but delight and meditate day and night in the Word of God.
Psalm 1:1-3, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Pray and plan to sign up for the camp. Take your leave early and make needful preprations and provisions to enable you to attend. The Lord God bless and keep you.
Yours lovingly,
Pr. Lek Aik Wee