Lead Me O God

Lead me O God
I do not know this way
It has been proved to me o’er and o’er


For when I have set my faith
my heart
my face like flint to seek you
to go on further still
even further than ever before
I’ve been surprised by opposition strange
and unexpected resistance
as though an enemy fears that I should enter into
such a place of abandonment with thee


Or is it you who tests my commitment
and through such circumstance say to me,
“Are you truly committed to my way my son?
will you indeed no longer turn my glory into shame?
will you indeed stand upright in this exalted place?
or will you allow yourself to be talked down once again?"


I know not O god
Thou knowest my heart has been so changeable
you alone have proved faithful

But this I have
that I know that I am blind
and that you alone can lead me in this way

Thou who at once dwellest in the midst of the thick darkness
and in the light that is unapproachable

lead me on
for you have said, “Who is blind as my servant?”

Is it that I have been so immersed in my weakness
and my blindness that I have a confidence that this shall be no work of my own
but only of thy grace and mercy
not any of my might or power
nor any of my willing...

...but a feeling after thee
who is in me both to will and to do

What is this strange confidence
where before there has only been failure?
Was my utter failure ...again and again....all this falling...
preparatory to my rising again?


Is it through my profound imperfection
that I now appreciate your perfection?
Is it the knowledge of my own weakness
that now helps me find this strength?

Is it my own profound blindness
through which I now see such glory?

After so great a death whence comes
this overflow of abundant life?

Did vanity and emptiness alone
prepare me for such wealth of spirit?


I only know now that without your sovereign discipline
your loving rebuke
I could never have been freed from much that held me.


What now can I do in this place
high above all rule and authority
This place you said you had prepared for me
that you promised to come and bring me to?


Seated together with you
in heavenly places I rest
work your work
my works shall follow
I will be still praising you