Journeys

The souls of the dead are in your hand—
but take the living, too,
who wander over sea and land,
and see us safely through.

For though our eyes are wide and bright,
we cannot see the way.
The light of noon is dark as night
and hides the coming days.

The wings of dawn will bear us far—
what dangers wait us there?
Be with us ever, guide and guard,
in all that we shall bear!

For we must go beyond the seas,
leave all we know behind.
We journey 'til all journeys cease—
Be with us, and be kind!

You see what cannot e'er be seen;
you knew me ere my birth.
You knit me in my inmost being
and drew me from the earth—

Then you will not let go of me,
the labor of your hands.
Though I go where I cannot see,
beside me there you'll stand.

L’aurore, Mer du Nord by Guillaume Vogels, c. 1877 – Robert Moyens: Guillaume Vogels 150 Jaar, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4671281

Allwheres

It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8

Through all the days that lie ahead
and all the nights when dawn's unsure,
along the ways laid for your steps,
remember that he walks with you.

Though cliffs rise up on every side
and mountains tumble to the sea,
yet go, for still your guard and guide
is with you, when all others flee.

With every step that you may take,
his heavens on their axis spin;
encircling you, asleep, awake,
without beginning, without end.

Awake, asleep, astray, at home:
it is his road before your feet,
and you will not step out alone.
At every turn, it's him you meet.

So go, and even when you fear,
you still are somewhere in his palm,
and every step, away or near,
allwheres you go, to him you come.

A paved Roman road in Pompeii By Paul Vlaar – http://www.neep.net/photo/italy/show.php?3390, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=173413

The Red Sea Road

We set out on the Red Sea road,
but that was just the start,
for there are years and years to go
before we reach your heart.

We trembled as you parted seas
to make a fearless way;
we walked where Pharaoh's chariots seized,
in safety through the waves.

But still the road runs out ahead,
and still we travel on,
through day 'til stars lift up their heads,
through midnight into dawn.

The road has never doubled back,
not even when we turned,
but runs forever in its track,
as long as stars shall burn.

And every weary traveller sees
a different, winding road,
but still one God sees all of these
and leads them safely home.

Wherever my own road shall run,
and roads of those I love,
O Shepherd, guide my steps thereon,
as long as stars shall move. Amen.

Parz castle ( Upper Austria ). Frescos ( 1580 ) at the facade – Moses crossing the Red Sea. Instead of the pharao the pope is persecuting Moses i.e. the true protestant church. Photo By Wolfgang Sauber – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10383261

A Narrow Road

Narrow is the road I follow,
never yet has it gone straight,
over hill and through the hollow,
early though I walk and late.
While I pass through light and shadow,
will it lead me to your gates?

Though my courage wanes and wavers,
though my steps are small and weak,
though I never catch you, Savior,
though I never hear you speak,
every mountaintop is Tabor;
every hill is Calvary.

Nothing have I for my journey
but the love that draws me on,
ever twisting, ever turning,
'til all sense of place is gone.
Through the midnight, through the morning,
still I seek some other dawn.

Shall I meet you under your skies
if I cannot find you here?
Shall I see myself in your eyes
if my sight is never clear?
I must follow where my love lies;
let my wand'ring bring me near.

Transfăgărășan called “the best road in the world” by Top Gear By Cristian Bortes – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3366725

Walk With Me

David Lee set this to music; you can find a PDF and MP3 here.

You, who walked the city streets and highways,
you, whose feet were covered in their dust,
walk with me through all my twisted byways;
take with me the steps I know I must.

You had not the shelter of the foxes;
you had not the comfort of the nest:
Walk with me the roads that lead through darkness;
be for me my shelter and my rest.

Word of God, that dwelt untouched above me,
Jesus, sinking in the mud of flesh,
walk with me and let me feel you love me.
Touch me still and fill my every breath.

You, who walked the valley of the shadow,
every step along the vale of tears,
walk with me and make this journey hallowed
through the darkened garden of my fears.

Son of God and image of the Father,
Christ Incarnate, wrapped in flesh and blood,
walk with me 'til I can walk no further.
Guide me by your never-ending love.

You Have Led Me Through the Desert

The people struck their tents to cross the Jordan,
with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of them.
No sooner had these priestly bearers of the ark
waded into the waters at the edge of the Jordan,
which overflows all its banks
during the entire season of the harvest,
than the waters flowing from upstream halted,
backing up in a solid mass for a very great distance indeed,
from Adam, a city in the direction of Zarethan;
while those flowing downstream toward the Salt Sea of the Arabah
disappeared entirely.
Thus the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
While all Israel crossed over on dry ground,
the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD
remained motionless on dry ground in the bed of the Jordan
until the whole nation had completed the passage.
Joshua 3: 13-17

To the tune NETTLETON.

You have led me through the desert;
you have held me through the years.
Every step, you have been present;
when I sought you, ever near.
When I strayed, you still were faithful;
when I fell, you, too, sank down,
not in wrath and not in failure,
but to lift me from the ground.

Lead me ever in your mercy,
through the day and through the dark.
Through my hunger and my thirsting,
show me yet your guiding spark.
If I never see your glory,
never reach the promised land,
if all other go before me,
still you have me in your hand.

When you lead me to the Jordan,
when you roll the river back,
give me courage for the journey
as you've given all I lack.
Let me trust again your goodness
and the wonders you have shown
still to bring me to the fullness
of the mercy I have known.