MY JOURNEY WITH INOPERABLE  CANCER

A Biblical perspective

November 1, 2015. This is an update on what is taking place in our lives as we go through the process of dealing with cancer. We are full of faith and confidence in the provision, promises and presence of our Lord.

Easter, 2015

Easter is my favorite Sunday of the year. That’s when we celebrate the most significant event in history – the literal, physical raising of Jesus from the dead. It is the pivotal point of our faith. Over the years, I have always looked forward to preaching on Easter and declaring that Jesus not only rose from the dead, but he is alive today to interact with the circumstances of our lives.

We did not know what this Easter would bring.

In the words of Pastor John Ortberg, “Stuff Happens.” In the lives of nonbelievers there is good stuff and bad stuff. In the lives of believers, there is good stuff and bad stuff. Being a believer does not exempt us from the stuff of life. On Easter we discovered some stuff that was happening in my body. Trouble does not always come with an advance warning.

After our church service, Ruth and I went out for a sandwich with friends and then we came home. We both felt upset in our stomachs and concluded we had eaten something bad at the restaurant and there was some food poisoning. Ruth got over it in a few hours but I didn’t. That night I fainted twice and EMT was called. They took me to the JFK hospital where they tried to figure out what was going on.

An X-ray in the emergency room showed an unusual spot and they said it needed to be checked out, so rather than sending me home I was admitted for tests the next day. By Monday afternoon, it was confirmed that I had a tumor and an operation was scheduled for the next day.

The surgeon quickly discovered a tumor the size of a golf ball, but he could not remove it. It was outside the small intestine and wrapped around nerves and blood vessels. To try to remove it would cause more damage than help. The biopsy indicated it was a rare and an unusually located form of carcinoid … cancer. It was stage 4 cancer because it was inoperable. After nearly a week in the hospital, I was sent home with appointments to see the oncologist on the following Monday.

The oncologist reported that the cancer, because of its type and location, was inoperable. Chemo treatments were scheduled to begin right away with the specific purpose of shrinking the tumor. The chemo prescribed was specifically designed to deal with this type of tumor. We were also told the tumor was slow growing.

The chemo treatments had two parts. The first day of each cycle involved going to a cancer clinic where I received the chemo infusion, usually a four-hour procedure. Then at home, there were six chemo pills every day for two weeks. After two weeks, there was a week off. Then we started another three-week cycle. This lasted for twelve weeks, at which time they did another PET/CT scan to see what was happening.

We’ll never forget the day we went to see the oncologist for the report. Ruth and our daughter Barbara were with me. The oncologist was kind and sensitive but the truth came out. The chemo had not worked. Instead of shrinking the tumor, it had grown significantly. There was no point in continuing this particular chemo. He then said this is the best chemo available for this type of cancer and it is not doing the job.

I remember looking at the oncologist at that point. “So what do I do?” I asked. He said I had two options. The oncologist described the possibility of a different chemo treatment, but it was clear he had little confidence that it would work. In addition he indicated there would be significant side effects. I then asked, “And if we don’t do that, what’s the other option?” His reply startled me. “You can do nothing.” He indicated that I could have up to six months to live! He said, “Call me later and let me know your decision.”

It was a quiet, sobering ride home in the car. What do you say? What do you do? What should we tell the oncologist? How do you think about the days ahead? What would a day bring? Everything was changing. Life was being rearranged. It not only was changing the course of my life, but my wife and family were deeply impacted.

At home we began to talk. Ruth and Barbara were anxious but calm as we walked though the implications of the decision. We phoned John, our son in Canada and shared the details and ramifications of the decision we had to make. While I had to make the final choice, I wanted and needed the support and input of my family.

I’ll never forget John’s response on the phone when I told him we were leaning towards discontinuing all treatment. John was in shock. “Dad, you’ve never been a quitter. You are a fighter. Don’t stop fighting.” I explained that we were not quitting or giving up the fight but that the new chemo option really provided no hope for me. It wasn’t a fear of the side effects. It just didn’t offer a reasonable option.

We prayed. Oh yes, we prayed. Not just for healing and a way out of this disease but for wisdom in making the right decision. I’ve learned that God does provide wisdom for making good choices. “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God….”

From the start, while it was staggering news to digest, I had a tremendous peace that was beyond human comprehension. There was no fear. I felt that God wanted me to cease the chemo treatment.

The next day, Barbara phoned the oncologist and reported that we would discontinue all treatment. After considerable discussion, the oncologist said, “I believe you have made the right decision and I will support you.” He then indicated that our relationship with him would end and he would immediately place me in hospice care.” He added, “Hospice is set up, not to treat the cancer, but to make you as comfortable and pain-free as possible.” I interpreted this to mean I was going to pass soon and they would make it as easy as possible.

By six o’clock that evening a team of hospice workers was in our home setting up the protocol and completing the paper work and preparing to start the process of providing care.

During the six weeks following the cessation of the chemo, I experienced a considerable amount of pain and discomfort. This was complicated by not being able to eat anything and virtually not drink anything. The stomach pain was harsh. I lost my strength. I was unable to do anything. I laid on the sofa, until hospice provided a hospital bed that was put in our living room.

I lost 60 pounds. There has to be an easier way to lose weight!

Several who have visited me, went home and said, “He likely won’t last another two weeks or a month.” I know my wife felt the same way at that time. She thought the end was coming quickly and she would be left alone.

Then one day, my nurse suggested that I go on a low dose of a steroid ( ) that would deal with some of the turmoil in my gut, increase my energy and help improve my appetite. She gave me the first little pill at 11AM and by 6PM I was hungry and able to eat. There was an immediate, radical change and for the last month, I’ve been a reenergized person.

The steroid does nothing to treat the cancer. The cancer is still there. It is probably growing but I have no way to tell. Apart from divine intervention, the tumor will eventually do its work, but for now, I am feeling stronger, eating better and getting around a little. Six weeks ago I couldn’t get off the sofa; now I’ve gone out for rides in the car and even gone to a restaurant with some friends.

We don’t know what a day will bring, but we are thankful for these good days.

My Faith

Suffering, shocking news and the word cancer come with a blast of cold, jarring numbness. Suddenly warm sentimental clichés seem superficial in the face of a new reality. It’s in times like these that convictions are tested, courage is challenged and confidence can be shaken. Something more than the sincere but sweet wishes on a greeting card is needed in times like this.

Clearly, my faith in Jesus Christ is what has sustained me during this ordeal. I thank God that from the first moment I heard the word “cancer,” that my faith in God has not wavered but has held steady. I am convinced that everything that I have trusted in my life and all that I have preached for more than 55 years is true, reliable and functional in my life. I like the words of the old hymn, “My anchor holds!”

                 My Anchor Holds

Though the angry surges roll

On my tempest-driven soul,

I am peaceful, for I know,

Wildly though the winds may blow,

I’ve an anchor safe and sure,

That can evermore endure.

 

                And it holds, my anchor holds:

                Blow your wildest, then, O gale,

                On my bark so small and frail;

                By His grace I shall not fail,

                For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

 

Mighty tides about me sweep,

Perils lurk within the deep,

Angry clouds o’ershade the sky,

And the tempest rises high;

Still I stand the tempest’s shock,

For my anchor grips the rock.

 

I can feel the anchor fast

As I meet each sudden blast,

And the cable, though unseen,

Bears the heavy strain between;

Through the storm I safely ride,

Till the turning of the tide.

 

Troubles almost ’whelm the soul;

Griefs like billows o’er me roll;

Tempters seek to lure astray;

Storms obscure the light of day:

But in Christ I can be bold,

I’ve an anchor that shall hold.

 

As I have rested on my bed and been awake through several sleepless nights, I have reviewed exactly what my faith entails. What is it I really believe? What is at the core of my faith? Circumstances have not disrupted my faith. I have been able to rejoice and find strength in the truth of the facts on which my faith rests.

My faith is rigidly rooted in the Scriptures. The Bible is God’s Word. God has spoken and continues to speak to us with loving, trustworthy absolutes that provide guidance, encouragement and a comprehensive understanding of truth. It shows the only way to a right relationship with God. I have total faith in the reliability of Scripture.

My faith is resolutely rooted in Jesus Christ. Christmas is so much more than a winter holiday. It’s the celebration of the incarnation, when Jesus, the eternal Son of God stepped into time and space to show us what God is like, to model how we should live and provide us the only way of eternal salvation. In our world, people talk about God, without any real understanding of who he is and what he is like. They are fearful and often told not to talk about Jesus. Jesus is the center of my faith and relationship with God.

My faith is rooted in the teachings of Jesus. His words in the four Gospels teach us how to connect with Almighty God and how to relate with others. His teaching is living, life-changing and inspiring. His words are not just the words of a mystic traveling through the dusty roads of the Near East, they are the eternal and trustworthy words of God.

My faith is rooted in the pivotal events of the cross when Jesus was crucified. On that day, the Lamb of God, who, in the mind of God was slain before the foundation of world, experienced the culmination of the most strategic and significant event in history. At the cross, Jesus did so much more than demonstrate the immense love of God, he absorbed all my wrongs, my offenses and my sins. Jesus died as my substitute. My sins were transferred to him. He became sin for me so that I could become righteous. It’s the event that changed all history and changed my life.

My faith is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The literal, physical raising of Jesus from the dead is an historical fact that is well-documented. It is not a myth. It is the definitive proof that the sacrifice that Jesus offered to his Father was accepted and had satisfied God’s justice. It is evidence that what Jesus did at Calvary was sufficient to provide me with eternal forgiveness for all my sins and bring me into a right relationship with God.

My faith is rooted in the ascension of Jesus back to heaven where he now lives to make intercession for me. Jesus has not disappeared from the scene of human history. The ascended Lord is alive. He is not resting in heaven waiting to see what happens; he is the Lord of history and is actively involved in the affairs of the world, the life of his church and the details of my personal life. He walks and talks with me on a regular basis.

My faith is rooted in his promised return. For some people, there is much confusion about the timing, sequence and events surrounding his coming, but there are certain things that are fixed and which we can count on. This world has not seen the last of Jesus. He said, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back.” (John 14:2). At the ascension, the angel said, “This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). The events of human history will not be complete until the Savior breaks through the clouds of heaven with the sound of the trumpet and a glorious shout.

My faith is rooted in God’s promise of divine healing. There is so much about divine healing that I have never understood, but I do know, that God, because of his great love and the provision of the cross, does intervene in our physical diseases and brings health and wholeness. I have experienced this throughout my life and ministry. Today, those convictions and that faith are still strong. I am thankful for all the medical treatments, but ultimately my trust is in God who is my strength. God can remove cancers.

My faith is rooted in the fact that God is in control of my life. I am not in control. To think that I am in control of all the circumstances of my life is an illusion. Stuff happens that is beyond my doing. It just happens. My body is fragile and subject to decay. But in all things God works for the good of those who love him. And I am convinced that God is at work in my life.

My faith is rooted in the fact that God wants to communicate with me. I can talk with him and he listens to me. I can pour out my heart to him at any time and know that he is listening, is caring and is prepared to respond to my cry. I not only talk to God but I talk with him.

John Piper wrote, “Prayer is God’s way of bringing our priorities into line with his.”

From the beginning of this journey, I have prayed the prayer of Jesus, “Thy will be done.” Some may interpret this as resignation or settling for second best. Nothing could be further from the truth. For me to pray, “Thy will be done,” is the ultimate expression of faith in the wisdom, power and purposes of God.

Yes, I ask for divine healing and the removal of this cancer. I love my wife and family and think about the implications of leaving them.

I have tried to line up my thinking with Paul who wrote, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). I enjoy life and ministry. I dearly love my weekly Bible study with 30 men who have become dear friends. I had been planning a series on the book of Colossians, dealing with the deity and supremacy of Christ. I would enjoy meeting with my friends to share God’s word.

But at the same time, I know that “people are destined to die once.” (Hebrews 9:27). So whether I live or die, because of my Savior, I am a winner. I can’t lose.

Cancer is a big deal but I’ve been reminded of certain things. Cancer does not destroy love. It cannot wipe away memories. It can’t abolish hope. It does not eat away at peace. It doesn’t remove friendships. And it cannot silence courage.

My Hope

From the beginning of this experience, I have been filled with hope. I know this is not the end. Yes, everything has changed and some things may be finished, but I have a glorious future. It may be with my wife and family for a few more years or it may be in the presence of my Savior.

Frequently, I wake up with the thought, “I have cancer! I am dying!” Let me assure you that it’s one thing to know that someone else has inoperable cancer and has only been given a short time to live, but it is another thing when it happens to you. However, through all this, I thank God I have not gone into a depression or experienced any sense of despair. I am filled with hope!

Somehow, whenever I think those words, “ I have cancer and I am dying,” almost immediately my attention turns to my Savior and I am reminded that I am going to see Jesus face to face. This is so much more than psyching myself up with positive thinking; it’s a conviction that the Spirit of God has placed in my heart.

Psalm 17:15

“And I – in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake I will be satisfied in seeing your likeness.”

1 Corinthians 13:12

“Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

The words of the hymn, Face to Face, have become precious to me and I have found myself singing the hymn to myself during the night hours.

                                      Face to Face

            Face to face with Christ my Savior, Face to face what will it be?

            When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me?

 

                        Face to face I shall behold him, far beyond the starry sky;

                        Face to face in all his glory, I’ll behold him by and by.

 

            Only faintly now I see him with the darkened veil between,

            But a blessed day is coming when his glory shall be seen.

 

            What rejoicing in his presence, when are banished grief and pain

            When the crooked ways are straightened and the dark ways shall be plain.

 

            Face to face! O blissful moment! Face to face – to see and know;

            Face to face with my redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Anyone going through what I’m dealing with, wonders what happens when you breathe your last breath and are ushered into eternity. I certainly have thought a lot about it. It’s no longer idle speculation or theological discourse. It’s reality.

Many things about the future for believers are described in the Bible. I’ve concluded that the supernatural, eternal aspects of the future are beyond the ability of human language to describe or our natural minds comprehend. It will be so much more than we can imagine.

As I’ve worked through the various scenarios of what will take place, my bottom line conviction is that the moment a believer passes from this life, instantly “he is with the Lord.” To the thief on the cross, Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” The operative words are “with me.” The apostle Paul said, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” Again the key thought is “with the Lord.”

So often we talk about the person who passes from this life as being in heaven. We talk about the streets of gold, the heavenly mansions and the reunion with friends and family. I am not sure that this is exactly what the Bible is saying will happen at the moment a believer dies and goes into eternity.

 

When I leave this world I will go to be with Jesus. The Bible says that there are a lot things yet to happen before all the realities of heaven are unveiled. On earth there will be a sequence of climactic events wrapping up human history – the rapture, the first resurrection, the Great Tribulation, the glorious return of the Lord with his saints, the millennium and so much more. And there will be a series of events taking place in heaven – the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Judgment Seat of Christ the handing out of rewards. These things will happen in a determined sequence after I am “with the Lord.”

Eternity is not calculated on the basis of time and space as we know it. It operates on a totally different system. Eternity is outside of time and space, but there is the concept of sequence in eternity. Not everything is simultaneous.

What all this means to my finite mind is that when I die, I will go to be “with Jesus”. Being with Jesus is what heaven is all about for me. In fact it will be enough, though I know there will be more. I agree with David Livingstone, “Death is a glorious event for one going to be with Jesus.”

My Help

Ruth and I have not gone through this ordeal alone. The help we have received has overwhelmed and amazed us.

Hospice. I cannot say enough to describe the good of this particular hospice program. Eight people from hospice regularly visit in our home. A larger team is on call 24/7. We were told that if we needed anything, to phone them and it would be delivered to us. They order any needed medications, which are then delivered to our house by FedEx. Hospice has provided competent nurses and care. One counselor comes for Ruth. A chaplain comes regularly, not only to read and pray with me, but to sing from the psalter. Volunteers come each week to sit with me so Ruth can go out shopping or go to appointments.

Neighbors. The community around our home has rallied and supported us more than we could ever imagine. They have brought in meals, provided housing for our out of town guests and hubbysat me so Ruth could go out to appointments.

Church friends. There has been a constant stream of people coming to and phoning our house. They have lifted my spirit and energized me. Literally thousands of people from around the world have told us they are praying for us. Several former associates and members of my pastoral staff have flown in to visit, pray and encourage us.

Two ministerial friends in particular have become very dear friends. George Smith, a life-long friend, has visited me or called me almost every day. His friendship is treasured. Our conversations have been refreshing, stimulating and uplifting. My pastor, H.B. London has come regularly to the house, often bringing me a milkshake. We have shared insights into life and ministry and talked about what God is doing in and through his church today. The prayers, time and care George and H.B. have given to me are highly valued.

Family. How could someone go through such an experience alone? My family has been a tremendous support and help, even while they have been sorting through the implications of what is happening. Caregivers pay a big price to provide the necessary care. They face uncertainty, unexpected disruptions and extra work. They want to solve problems but are frustrated when the situation is beyond them.

Ruth has been a tower of strength through all this. The demands of caregiving are immense. In many ways this has been harder on her than me. Every night she reads the Psalms to me and prays for me. It is precious. Our two children, John and Barbara have been here to help Ruth and me. What a joy to have children who love and serve Jesus as well as love and serve us.

The Lord. Right now, I am living the life in between the diagnosis and the end result. Right now, it’s just me and my best friend Jesus. What more could I ask for? My ultimate help comes from the Lord. The words, “The Lord is my helper,” have been a continual source of encouragement to me.

Hebrews 13:5-6 “… God has said, Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Confidence

Notice Hebrews 13:6, “So we say with confidence…” There is not much about which we can be confident these days, but one thing about which we can be absolutely assured: “The Lord is my helper.”

Helper

The Bible word, “helper,” is formed by combining two words: to cry and to run. When a mother hears her baby cry, she responds by running to assist the baby and relieve the situation. When I cry out to the Lord, he comes running to help me.

The Lord

Many people search for help for their marriages, businesses and relationships. Many people offer to help us. Some help comes in books, on TV, at seminars or from friends. This may be good but often falls short of what we need.

I’ve discovered that the person who offers you help determines the quality of help you receive. Some are willing to help but are incapable of helping. Some are capable but unwilling to help. They have no interest, are insensitive to our predicaments or preoccupied with something else.

The Lord is the source of our help. He is both willing and able to come running to us in response to our cry. And he has heard my cry.

My

This is not just abstract theology for me but personal experience. The Lord has been my helper throughout more than 55 years of ministry on five continents and more than 65 countries. He has been my helper. He has often come running in response to my cries.

1 Samuel 7:12

‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.”

Acts 26:22

“But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.”

Consider God’s track record throughout history.

Psalm 18:6

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

Psalm 30:2

“O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.”

Psalm 33:20

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 54:4

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”

Psalm 121:1-2

“I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 124:8

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Trouble

John 16:33

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Trouble is a given. Jesus said, it’s a matter of fact. He said count on it. It will come. Believers are not exempt from trouble. Troubles come in all sizes and shapes. I believe that one of these troubles is cancer. We should not be surprised when trouble comes.

The Greek word is thlipsis and it refers to the weight of the world pushing down on you. It refers to the pressure that constricts or rubs together and is used of a narrow place that hems someone in resulting in internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined, restricted and without options. There is the feeling that there is no way of escape. That’s how cancer makes you feel.

Jesus did not say he would remove the trouble from our lives. Jesus does not even say he would fix the problem. He said he would overcome the world. Right now we’re living in the “already, but not yet.” Some things have been provided and are already in place but are yet to be fully realized. Whatever I am going through now is not the last word in my situation.

Therefore I don’t give up. I take heart. I am courageous. And I don’t quit. I fight. I pray. I trust.

I recognize that God can bring good out of trouble. I don’t get angry with God or blame him for what is happening or question why he is allowing this to take place in my body. That would neither help me nor honor God. I realize that some things happen so the glory of God can be demonstrated.

I am not alone. God is with me. Jesus did not come to explain our troubles but to be with us in our troubles.

Psalm 10:14

“But you God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand.”

This confirms and reminds me that he’s got the whole world in his hands. And he’s got both my life and my cancer in his hand.

After telling the disciples they could count on trouble, He went on to assure them of his gift of peace.

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Throughout this trouble, we have sensed his divine peace.

Scriptures and Thoughts That Have Sustained Me

Romans 14:7-9

“For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 5:1, 8

“For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built with human hands … we are confident I say, and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

• Life is lived in an earthly tent
• This tent will be destroyed
• The prospect of an eternal home makes present trials seem small
• Ultimately I will be “at home with the Lord.”

Proverbs 14:32

“When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death, the righteous have a refuge.”

John 17:24

“I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

Luke 9:31

“… they spoke about his departure.”

At the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked about Jesus’ impending death in Jerusalem, which they referred to as his departure. What a conversation that must have been! During the past weeks I have talked about my impending departure with many close friends. My departure does not focus on what I’m leaving but where I am going.

Hebrews 6:19

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

Luke 2:29-30  

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.”

I confidently trust the Sovereign Lord to dismiss me in peace for my eyes have seen his salvation.

1 John 3:1-3

“Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what will be has not been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

Psalm 16:8-11

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

“It is written: no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to us by his spirit.”

MY THANKSGIVING

Who else but God could have charted out the course of my life? What an amazing life!

Ministry has included pastoring, world missions, writing, for 12 years speaking at the Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism and serving in a variety of denominational leadership positions.

My life mission has been “To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can!” How gratifying it has been in the last months to receive comments from all over the world from people who testify to finding the Savior through my ministry.

My testimony is summed up in one of my favorite hymns, written by Fanny Crosby.

All The Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me,

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

 

All the way my Savior leads me,

      Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living Bread.

      Though my weary steps may falter

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see;

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see.

 

All the way my Savior leads me,

Oh, the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father’s house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way;

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.