This is hymn 33 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
HYMN 1: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!
1. 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 now and evermore (2ce)
2. Open Thou the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow:
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer! strong deliverer!
Be Thou still my strength and shield (2ce)
3. If I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside:
Bear me through the swelling torrent,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises! songs of praises!
I will ever give to Thee (2ce)
4. Saviour, come! We long to see Thee,
Long to dwell with Thee above;
And to know in full communion,
All the sweetness of Thy love.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
Take Thy waiting people home (2ce)
GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH! HYMN COMMENTARY
Beloved in Christ, as we turn our hearts to this timeless hymn, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” we are not merely singing a song; we are praying a powerful, scriptural prayer and affirming our identity as pilgrims on a sacred journey. This hymn, rich with biblical imagery, speaks directly to the soul of every believer who has ever felt weak, lost, or longing for home.
Why We Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn because it perfectly encapsulates the Christian life. It acknowledges our present reality—a “barren land” of trials, temptations, and spiritual dryness—while fixing our eyes on the faithfulness of our God who guides, provides, and delivers.
1. It is a Hymn of Dependence (Verse 1)
The opening line, “Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah!” is a humble admission that we cannot navigate life on our own. We confess, “I am weak, but Thou art mighty.” In a world that prizes self-sufficiency, this hymn calls us to the beautiful, counter-cultural truth of our faith: our strength is found in our dependence on Christ. The cry for “Bread of heaven” is a plea for daily spiritual sustenance, for the manna of God’s Word and the presence of Jesus Himself (John 6:35), to feed us now and evermore.
2. It is a Hymn of Divine Guidance (Verse 2)
The “crystal fountain” points to the cleansing and refreshing flow of the Holy Spirit and the salvation we have in Christ (Revelation 22:1). The “fiery, cloudy pillar” recalls God’s unerring guidance of the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). We sing this because our journey is often through unknown and treacherous terrain. We need a “strong deliverer” who is both our strength to empower us and our shield to protect us from the enemy’s attacks. We are declaring that we want God’s presence to “lead me all my journey through,” not just in the easy times.
3. It is a Hymn of Triumphant Hope (Verse 3)
“Jordan” in scripture often represents the final crossing from this life into eternity—the river of death. This verse gives us language for our moments of deepest “anxious fears.” It is a prayer for peace in the face of mortality, trusting that the same God who guided us in life will “bear me through the swelling torrent” and “land me safe on Canaan’s side”—the Promised Land of Heaven. The natural response to such a deliverance is unending “songs of praises!” This verse transforms our fear into faith and our dread into doxology.
4. It is a Hymn of Eager Expectation (Verse 4)
The hymn culminates in the glorious, Maranatha cry of the Church: “Come, Lord Jesus!” This is the ultimate hope of the Christian. Our journey as pilgrims has a destination: to be with our Saviour. We sing this to stir our hearts, to rekindle our first love, and to express our holy longing to “dwell with Thee above” and experience the “sweetness of Thy love” in full, unbroken communion. It is a prayer for the culmination of all things, when God will indeed “take Thy waiting people home.”
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Dear reader, perhaps you feel the barrenness of your current situation. You may be weary, feeling your weakness, and the journey seems long. Let this hymn be your prayer. Cry out to the Great Jehovah, your Shepherd. He knows the way through the wilderness. He will open fountains of grace in the most desolate places. When you face your own Jordan—be it sickness, grief, or uncertainty—sing this hymn with faith. He who guided you will also bear you through the current and bring you safely to the other side.
Sing this hymn not as a mournful plea, but as a declaration of faith. You are not a wanderer; you are a pilgrim with a divine Guide. You are not abandoned; you are fed by the Bread of Heaven. You are not alone; you are led by the Pillar of God’s presence. So, lift your voice! Sing with hope, for your Deliverer is strong, your destination is sure, and your Saviour is coming soon.
May the Lord open our heavens today as we place our trust in His mighty hand In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Open Heavens Devotional
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