Jesus, Lead Thou On
Jesus, Lead Thou On
Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless:
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.
If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a woe
To our home we go.
When we seek relief
From a long-felt grief;
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.
Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won.
Heav’nly Leader, still direct us,
Still support, control, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.
Collected and arranged by Christian Gregor (1723–1801)
Translated by Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813–1897)
THE WRITER of this hymn, Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf, knew all about problems. One biographer comments, “Although one of the worthiest of men, Zinzendorf had to bear the misrepresentation of friends as well as the opposition of enemies. He was continually spoken against.”
As a German count, he was a man of wealth and position. But as a Christian, he opened his estate to persecuted Moravian believers. While visiting the king of Denmark, he met a slave from the West Indies who told him of the bitter conditions there. Soon Zinzendorf organized a mission to the West Indies, one of the earliest European missionary endeavors. Even in this, he was criticized and misunderstood by religious and secular authorities. Zinzendorf knew well that the way was “often cheerless,” yet he followed “calm and fearless” in the footsteps of Christ.
Through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
1 Peter 1:5-6
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