Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrims through this barren land;
We are weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold us by Thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, Feed us now and evermore.

Open wide the living fountain, Whence the healing waters flow;
Be Thyself our cloudy pillar All the dreary desert through:
Strong deliv'rer, Be Thou still our strength and shield.

While we tread this vale of sorrow, May we in Thy love abide;
Keep us, O our gracious Saviour!  Cleaving closely to Thy side:
Still relying On our Father's changeless love.

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!   Take Thy waiting people home.

“Songs and Hymns” gives this detail on this wonderful hymn seeking God’s guidance:

“This very personal hymn seeks the same care that God gave the Israelites in the wilderness: “Bread of heaven”, the manna in the wilderness, “Open now the crystal fountain”, water from the rock, “Let the fire and cloudy pillar”, the pillar God used to guide them and protect them in the wilderness.

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” has been translated into seventy-five languages. It is so loved in Wales that it is considered an unofficial national anthem

It was first published by Williams in 1745, in Hallelujah, with five six-line stanzas. In 1771, Peter Williams translated stanzas 1, 3 and 5 into English and published them in his Hymns on Various Subjects, 1771. A year later, William Williams, or possibly his son, John Williams, translated another English version, using Peter Williams’ first stanza, then translating stanzas 3 and 4, and adding a new stanza as verse 4. He published it a leaflet with these words: “A favourite hymn sung by Lady Huntingdon’s Young Collegians. Printed by the desire of many Christian friends. Lord, give it Thy blessing!” Most hymnals use the first three stanzas of this translation.

Many are the stories of this beautiful anthem giving people strength in time of adversity. Three women missionaries in China, with bandits outside their door, sang this as though nothing was wrong, receiving comfort and courage from their “Strong Deliverer”. Imprisoned with only dry, hard bread and tea, they sang it as Paul and Silas, their spirits undaunted, fed by the “Bread of heaven.” In the trenches of Flanders during World War I, it was sung so melodiously by the Welch soldiers that the German soldiers also took it up. Miners sang it on their way to the mines. It could be spontaneously sung at Welsh sporting events, and was sung at Princess Diana’s funeral.”

This afternoon my wife and I will be homeward bound. At least we’re headed to Northern Ontario, Thornloe-to be precise, the area where I was born and raised. It’s been 3 years since we moved from our family farm to Oshawa, where God has brought us into a new chapter of our lives.
I love the trip North. Once you reach North Bay, the gateway to the North, my excitement starts to build. Familiar lakes and trees, familiar bridges and communities begin to remind me of the wonderful years God allowed me to experience as the youngest son of a pastor/farmer/bookkeeper/shall I go on…. My Dad was a Northerner. Although he spent time during the war years working at Stelco in Hamilton, he spent the majority of his life in the North. In 1942, June 17th to be precise, he and my mom “tied the knot” in Matheson at the Gospel Hall. Even the grandchildren still marvel at the years of “courtship” done mostly with the assistance of Canada Post. His longest letter, if I recall correctly, was over 40 pages. There is something romantic and thrilling about crafting such a document. Now we use post-it-notes, short e-mails and a quick call to communicate. But in Dad & Mom’s relationship they wrote carefully out their thoughts, prayers and deep love for each other.
Both of them are now in heaven having finished their journey on earth. I miss them dearly and still grapple with God’s command to “Honour your father and your mother.”
As I head north today I honour their memory, their love, their faithfulness, their careful use of money, their hospitality, their generosity but most of all their unwavering faith in God and in His word.
My prayer is that of the hymnwriter – “O give us homes, built firm upon the Saviour!”
My desire is that of Joshua – “As for me and for my house, WE WILL serve the LORD!”