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Be
With Me, Lord
A Lesson based on the Hymn by L.O. Sanderson
Introduction:
"Be With Me,
Lord" is a deeply personal and prayerful hymn, expressing a Christian’s
heartfelt plea for the constant presence of God. Written by L.O.
Sanderson, a well-known member of the church of Christ and composer of
many cherished hymns, this song captures the essence of walking with God
through both the storms and the sunshine of life. It is not a hymn of
triumphalism, but of trust—a recognition of our own weakness and a
reverent appeal to the Almighty for strength, courage, and
companionship.
The song does
not promise that life will be without trials. Instead, it embraces the
reality of sorrow, temptation, and fear, while proclaiming that the
presence of the Lord is the answer to every need. The believer knows
that without God, he is nothing, and so with humility and faith he
prays: "Be with me, Lord."
This hymn
resonates with those who seek to abide in God’s presence daily. Passages
such as Psalm 23, Matthew 28:20, and Hebrews 13:5 form the theological
backbone of this prayer in song. It reminds us that even when others
fail us or when we face internal conflict, God’s presence never falters.
His abiding care is what strengthens us in the hour of trial, comforts
us in sorrow, and steadies us when tempted.
"Be With Me,
Lord" is a song every Christian can sing, not from a place of strength,
but from the blessed assurance that God is near. It is a hymn of
dependence, devotion, and divine companionship.
Stanza 1 –
A Cry for God’s Presence in All Circumstances
"Be
with me, Lord—I cannot live without Thee,
I dare not try to take one step alone;
I cannot bear the loads of life, unaided,
I need Thy strength to lean myself upon."
This first
stanza opens the hymn with an acknowledgment of the believer’s complete
dependence on the Lord. It is not a poetic exaggeration—it is a
spiritual truth. The singer admits that without God, life is
unsustainable. It echoes the sentiment of John 15:5 where Jesus says,
“Without Me you can do nothing.”
Notice the
repetition of inability: "I cannot live... I dare not try... I cannot
bear... I need Thy strength." This is not weakness, but the very essence
of faith. Psalm 55:22 invites us to cast our burdens on the Lord, and He
will sustain us. When we try to walk alone, we stumble under the weight
of trials, responsibilities, fears, and temptations. But when God walks
with us, His strength becomes our strength (Isaiah 41:10).
The Christian
life is not about self-reliance; it is about divine reliance. This
stanza encourages us to begin each day with prayer, humbling ourselves
before the Lord and seeking His hand in every step we take. For the
faithful, His presence is not optional—it is essential.
Stanza 2 –
Courage Amid Life’s Dangers and Trials
"Be
with me, Lord—and then if dangers threaten,
If storms of trial burst above my head,
If lashing seas leap everywhere about me,
They cannot harm, or make my heart afraid."
This stanza
takes us from quiet dependence to the violent imagery of trials and
adversity. Storms of trial and lashing seas represent life’s
unpredictable hardships—moments when it seems that all around us is
chaos. Yet even in such times, the believer knows that if God is
present, fear will not reign.
This reflects
Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Like Peter walking on water
(Matthew 14:30), fear sets in when we take our eyes off Jesus. But if
the Lord is near, then though the sea rages, the heart remains calm.
The stanza
speaks to real-life scenarios—disease, persecution, loss, danger—and
offers assurance that we can face them with courage. It reminds us of
Romans 8:35-39, where Paul affirms that no tribulation, distress, or
peril can separate us from the love of God. In times of fear, we do not
ask for the storm to disappear—we ask that the Lord be with us in it.
“Be with me,
Lord,” then, becomes not just a request, but the key to enduring life’s
fiercest trials without losing heart.
Stanza 3 –
Comfort in Sorrow and Loneliness
"Be
with me, Lord! No other gift or blessing
Thou couldst bestow could with this one compare—
A constant sense of Thy abiding presence,
Where'er I am, to feel that Thou art near."
This stanza
declares that the greatest blessing the soul can receive is not wealth,
health, or even the company of others—but the constant presence of the
Lord. It elevates divine nearness above all earthly gifts. It brings to
mind David’s words in Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of
joy.”
The singer
values the presence of God so highly that everything else is considered
secondary. The phrase "a constant sense" speaks to awareness—not merely
a doctrinal truth, but a felt and known nearness. Whether in the
solitude of sorrow or the bustle of daily life, to know that God is near
is to find rest.
Hebrews 13:5
assures us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This promise
becomes the Christian’s anchor. Even if we lose every earthly thing, we
are not truly alone. This stanza invites us to cultivate an intimate
relationship with the Lord—not only seeking His presence in crisis, but
treasuring it in every moment.
To feel that
God is near—this is the heart’s deepest peace.
Stanza 4 –
Strength Against Temptation and Victory in the End
"Be
with me, Lord—when loneliness o’ertakes me,
When I must weep amid the fires of pain;
And when shall come the hour of ‘my departure,’
For worlds unknown, O Lord, be with me then."
The final
stanza brings the Christian’s journey full circle—from daily dependence
to the moment of death. It highlights three specific moments when God's
presence is desperately needed: in loneliness, in suffering, and at the
hour of death. Each one touches a universal chord in human experience.
Loneliness is
a quiet pain that even surrounded people can feel. But Psalm 27:10
reminds us that “when my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord
will take care of me.” In times of pain, physical or emotional, God
offers comfort like no other. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of the God of
all comfort who consoles us in all our affliction.
And finally,
when death comes—the moment described poetically as “the hour of my
departure”—the believer longs not to walk that valley alone. Psalm 23:4
reassures, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.”
The hymn ends
not in despair but in calm confidence. No matter what we face in life or
in death, the prayer remains constant: “Be with me, Lord.” That is
enough.
Sermon
Outline:
I. A Cry
for God’s Presence in All Circumstances (Stanza 1)
- Total
dependence on God: “I cannot live without Thee.” (John 15:5)
- Refusal
to attempt self-reliance: “I dare not try to take one step alone.”
-
Recognition of the burden of life: “I cannot bear the loads of life,
unaided.” (Psalm 55:22)
- Need for
God’s strength as our support. (Isaiah 41:10)
II.
Courage Amid Life’s Dangers and Trials (Stanza 2)
- Facing
life’s storms: “If storms of trial burst above my head.”
-
Assurance of safety when God is near. (Psalm 46:1–3)
- Even
when “lashing seas leap,” the heart need not fear. (Romans 8:35–39)
-
Parallels with Peter’s faith on the water. (Matthew 14:30–31)
III.
Comfort in Sorrow and Loneliness (Stanza 3)
- No
earthly blessing compares to God's presence.
- “A
constant sense of Thy abiding presence.” (Psalm 16:11)
- The
desire for felt nearness — not just knowledge of God, but relational
closeness.
- The
promise of God’s never-forsaking presence. (Hebrews 13:5)
IV.
Strength Against Temptation and Victory in the End (Stanza 4)
- God’s
presence in loneliness. (Psalm 27:10)
- Comfort
amid “the fires of pain.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
- Final
plea: “When shall come the hour of ‘my departure.’” (Psalm 23:4; 2
Timothy 4:6–8)
- Eternal
hope in “worlds unknown.”
Call to
Action:
Let us take
the words of this hymn beyond melody and into daily life. Are we truly
seeking the presence of the Lord in all we do? Or are we leaning on our
own strength until it fails us? This song reminds us that real security
is not found in comfort or control—but in communion with God.
If you are
facing uncertainty, sorrow, temptation, or even death, the same prayer
should be on your lips: “Be with me, Lord.” Let this be more than a
lyric—let it be the plea of your soul every morning and every night.
Recommit today to walk with God. Open your heart to Him, study His Word,
live by His will, and seek His presence not just in times of trouble,
but in every step of your journey.
The promise
remains: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). If God
is with us, then we need not fear anything the world may bring. But we
must choose daily to walk with Him. Let this hymn be your declaration of
dependence on the Lord. Let it shape your prayers, strengthen your
resolve, and renew your trust.
Let us not
wait for trouble to call on God—let us walk with Him always. And when
trials do come, we will already be in His arms.
Scripture
Reference List:
-
John 15:5 – “For apart from
Me you can do nothing.”
Reminds us that we are completely dependent
on Christ to lead a fruitful life.
-
Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your
burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”
A comfort for those weighed down by life’s
burdens, echoed in the first stanza.
-
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not,
for I am with you... I will uphold you with My righteous right
hand.”
Assures believers of God’s steady presence
in trials.
-
Psalm 46:1–3 – “God is our
refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Relates to the imagery of storms and danger
in the second stanza.
-
Romans 8:35–39 – Nothing
can separate us from the love of God.
A powerful promise in the face of any storm
or fear.
-
Matthew 14:30–31 – Peter
walks on water but begins to sink when afraid.
Illustrates that faith weakens when focus
is lost, but the Lord saves.
-
Psalm 16:11 – “In Your
presence is fullness of joy.”
Captures the longing for God’s constant
presence in the third stanza.
-
Hebrews 13:5 – “I will
never leave you nor forsake you.”
This verse supports the entire message of
the hymn.
-
Psalm 27:10 – “Though my
father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in.”
Comforts the lonely heart described in the
fourth stanza.
-
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 – “The
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…”
Strengthens God’s role as our Comforter
through suffering.
-
2 Timothy 4:6–8 – Paul
speaks of his departure and the crown of righteousness.
Mirrors the final stanza’s hope in facing
death.
-
Psalm 23:4 – “Though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…”
Affirms God’s presence even in death’s
hour.
Song
History Section:
"Be With Me,
Lord" was composed by L.O. Sanderson (1901–1992), a longtime
minister and music director in the churches of Christ. The lyrics were
written by Thomas O. Chisholm, a prolific hymn writer who also
authored "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Sanderson composed the tune
in 1935 while working with the Gospel Advocate Company. The hymn was
first published in Christian Hymns No. 2, and its message of
trust in God’s abiding presence has made it a beloved classic in
churches of Christ for generations.
The pairing
of Sanderson's simple but stirring melody with Chisholm's heartfelt
words has helped this hymn endure through time. It became especially
meaningful during times of war, loss, or spiritual discouragement—when
Christians leaned heavily on the promise that God is near to the
brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). As both a personal prayer and a
congregational affirmation, "Be With Me, Lord" continues to
inspire worshippers to seek the comfort and nearness of God in every
season of life.
Lesson
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
