“The leads me beside still waters;he restores my soul.He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I fear no evil, for you are with me." (Psalm 23:2-46

Our family faced profound poverty. My future appeared dim, and I felt lost. At the age of 15, amidst uncertainty, I surrendered my life to the Lord and prayed for guidance. With a full scholarship, I ventured from our humble village to the bustling city of Seoul for high school. Even after graduating, the road ahead remained uncertain. In the quiet of the early morning, I poured my heart out to God, sketching a ten-year plan in my diary and pleading for His guidance.

Tragedy struck during my freshman year of college when my father passed away, leaving my financially burdened mother and three younger siblings in my care. At just 18, I carried the weight of responsibility while grappling with an uncertain future. I continued to lean on God, praying God's guidance. At 28, accompanied by my four-month-old son and wife, I embarked on a journey across the Pacific Ocean for further study. By 31, a diagnosis of tuberculosis halted my academic pursuits. With limited resources, I navigated through challenges alongside my family. Tragedy struck again at 45 when I lost my eldest son, Kori.

During the darkest days of American history, amidst the Civil War, Dr. Joseph H. Gilmore, a young 28-year-old preacher, received an invitation to speak at the First Baptist Church, filling in for the pastor. After delivering his sermon by the words of the 23rd Psalm, Dr. Gilmore and his wife were invited to a time of fellowship. At the fellowship room, he quietly sat down, pulled out a piece of paper, and penned the lyrics to what would become the hymn "He Leadeth Me." He handed the paper to his wife without dwelling on it further. Mrs. Gilmore later submitted the poem to a weekly Christian magazine in Boston, The Watchman and the Reflector. Hymn writer William Bradbury came across the lyrics in the magazine and composed music to accompany them, giving birth to the beloved hymn.

Three years later, Dr. Gilmore was invited to deliver a trial sermon at the Second Baptist Church in Rochester. Flipping through a church hymnal, he was astonished to find the very poem he had written three years earlier. Upon returning home, he shared this remarkable experience with his wife, expressing his bewilderment at seeing his words set to music by Dr. Bradbury. His wife smiled and explained that she had sent his words to Dr. Bradbury to brings solace to people during those troublesome times.

How have I managed to endure and how have I made it through where I am today? Feeling alone, abandoned, and confused, I have reached out and prayed through the darkness, knowing that His hand is still clasping mine. Like walking with a young child, holding onto a father's hand, I have tightly grasped God's hand, and He has led me here. Despite all these hardships and challenges, I am today surrounded by my beloved congregation. How wonderful to hold the hand of God!

Pastor Seok-Hwan

REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought

1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate'er I do, where'er I be,

still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,

sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,

by waters still, o'er troubled sea,

still 'tis his hand that leadeth me.

3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine,

nor ever murmur nor repine;

content, whatever lot I see,

since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

4. And when my task on earth is done,

when by thy grace the victory's won,

e'en death's cold wave I will not flee,

since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Refrain:

He leadeth me, he leadeth me,

by his own hand he leadeth me;

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me.

Text: Joseph H. Gilmore (1834-1918)

Music: William B. Bradbury (1816-1868)