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Jesus,
Hold My Hand
Hymn by
Albert E. Brumley
Introduction:
“Jesus, Hold
My Hand” is a beloved hymn that expresses a Christian’s daily need for
divine help, guidance, and strength. Written by Albert E. Brumley, the
song takes the form of a prayer, spoken directly to the Lord, asking for
His protective presence along life’s journey. The lyrics are deeply
personal and humble, filled with the language of dependence, trust, and
perseverance.
The central
theme is this: we cannot walk the Christian path alone. Life is
described as a “pilgrim land,” a temporary and often difficult journey
filled with uncertainty, temptation, and trials. But the believer is not
alone—Jesus is that “Friend who walks with me.” The hymn reminds us that
while we may be weak, He is strong, and through prayer, faith, and
obedience, we can walk confidently through even the darkest valleys.
This song is
not about spiritual ease; it’s about spiritual endurance. It pleads for
light in darkness, strength in weakness, and courage in battle. It asks
Jesus not only to guide us through this life but to lead us safely into
the next—into that eternal “land of rest.” It’s a call to remain
faithful, to take a stand, and to look forward to the reward promised to
those who overcome.
At its core,
“Jesus, Hold My Hand” is a confession of complete reliance on Christ.
It’s a song for the struggling soul, the weary pilgrim, and the faithful
disciple. It is, quite simply, a prayer set to music.
**Stanza
1: “As I travel through this pilgrim land,
There is a
Friend who walks with me,
Leads me safely through the sinking sand,
It is the Christ of Calvary.”**
Life is a
journey, and this world is not our home (Hebrews 11:13). As we travel,
the terrain is unstable—“sinking sand”—reminding us of the foolish man
in Matthew 7:26 who built without a foundation. But Christians are not
alone; we walk with a Friend (John 15:15)—Jesus Himself, who died at
Calvary to redeem us. His companionship brings security, purpose, and
hope.
**Chorus:
“Jesus, hold my hand,
I need Thee
every hour,
Through this pilgrim land,
Protect me by Thy power.
Hear my feeble plea,
O Lord, look down on me;
When I kneel in prayer,
I hope to meet You there,
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.”**
This chorus
is a prayer of urgent dependence. It echoes Psalm 63:1—“O God, You are
my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.” The line “I
need Thee every hour” draws directly from Jesus’ teaching in John 15:5,
“Without Me you can do nothing.” The Christian life is impossible
without divine strength. We ask not only for protection but for a
relationship—a meeting place in prayer, and eventually, in heaven.
**Stanza
2: “Let me travel in the light divine
That I may
see the blessed way;
Keep me that I may be wholly Thine
And sing redemption’s song someday.”**
The “light
divine” is God’s word (Psalm 119:105). We walk a narrow, blessed way
(Matthew 7:14), and only the Lord can keep us pure (1 Peter 1:5). To be
“wholly Thine” is to be fully surrendered (Romans 12:1). The
“redemption’s song” we long to sing is echoed in Revelation 5:9, sung by
those who are washed in the Lamb’s blood.
**Stanza
3: “When I wander through the valley dim
Toward the
setting of the sun,
Lead me safely to a land of rest,
If I a crown of life have won.”**
The “valley
dim” reflects the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). As the sun sets on life,
we long for safe passage into the rest promised in Hebrews 4:9. The
“crown of life” (Revelation 2:10) is for those who remain faithful unto
death. This verse reminds us that our walk must endure to the end
(Matthew 24:13) to reach that golden strand.
Exhaustive
Sermon Outline:
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Introduction:
- The
hymn is a prayer for guidance, strength, and final victory.
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Emphasizes Christian dependence on Jesus throughout life.
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I. Stanza 1 – A Companion Through the Journey
- Life
is a pilgrim land (Hebrews 11:13)
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Sinking sand reflects worldly instability (Matthew 7:26)
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Jesus, our Friend, walks with us (John 15:15)
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II. Chorus – A Prayer for Divine Help
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Daily need for Jesus (John 15:5)
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Power and protection requested (Psalm 63:1)
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Communion through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
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III. Stanza 2 – The Desire to Walk in the Light
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God's word is our guide (Psalm 119:105)
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Fully belonging to God (Romans 12:1)
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Singing the redeemed's song (Revelation 5:9)
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IV. Stanza 3 – The Journey’s End
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Facing death with confidence (Psalm 23:4)
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Eternal rest for the faithful (Hebrews 4:9)
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Crown of life for overcomers (Revelation 2:10)
Call to
Action:
Are you
walking hand in hand with Jesus? He offers to lead you through life’s
storms and into eternal peace. But you must place your hand in
His—through obedient faith (Mark 16:16), repentance (Acts 2:38), and
daily surrender. Let today be the day you let Jesus hold your hand—now
and forever.
Scripture
Reference List:
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Hebrews 11:13 – Christians
are strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
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Matthew 7:26 – Building on
sand represents disobedience to Christ’s words.
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John 15:15 – Jesus calls
His followers “friends.”
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Psalm 63:1 – A soul that
thirsts for God.
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John 15:5 – “Without Me you
can do nothing.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:17 –
“Pray without ceasing.”
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Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word
is a lamp unto my feet.”
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Romans 12:1 – Present your
bodies as a living sacrifice.
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Revelation 5:9 – The
redeemed sing a new song.
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Psalm 23:4 – “Though I walk
through the valley…”
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Hebrews 4:9 – There remains
a rest for the people of God.
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Revelation 2:10 – “Be thou
faithful unto death…”
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Mark 16:16 – “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
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Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be
baptized… for the remission of sins.”
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Matthew 24:13 – “He that
shall endure unto the end…”
Song
History:
Albert E.
Brumley (1905–1977), a prolific gospel songwriter and lifelong member of
the churches of Christ, wrote “Jesus, Hold My Hand” in 1933. Brumley
penned many beloved hymns including “I’ll Fly Away” and “I’ll Meet You
in the Morning.” This hymn became a staple in churches of Christ and
other Christian fellowships because of its deeply personal tone and
biblical imagery. Its message of dependence and endurance through life’s
journey continues to comfort believers across generations.
Hymn
Lyrics:
Jesus,
Hold My Hand
Words and Music by Albert E. Brumley © 1933
Hartford Music Company (Public Domain in the United States if published
before 1929; otherwise still under copyright depending on jurisdiction)
Note: Many hymnals published for the churches
of Christ consider this song in the public domain for congregational
use. For print or digital publication, verify with a hymnal publisher
such as Songs of the Church, Sacred Selections, or
Praise for the Lord regarding usage rights. The version below is
widely published in songbooks adapted for use in the churches of Christ.
Verse 1: As I travel through this pilgrim
land, There is a Friend who walks with me, Leads me safely through the
sinking sand, It is the Christ of Calvary. This would be my prayer, dear
Lord, each day To help me do the best I can, For I need Thy light to
guide me day and night, Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Verse 2: Let me travel in the light divine
That I may see the blessed way; Keep me that I may be wholly Thine And
sing redemption’s song some day. I will be a soldier brave and true And
ever firmly take a stand; As I onward go and daily meet the foe, Blessed
Jesus, hold my hand.
Verse 3: When I wander through the valley dim
Toward the setting of the sun, Lead me safely to a land of rest If I a
crown of life have won; I have put my faith in Thee, dear Lord, That I
may reach the golden strand; There’s no other friend on whom I can
depend, Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Chorus:
Jesus, hold
my hand, I need Thee every hour; Through this pilgrim land, Protect me
by Thy power. Hear my feeble plea, O Lord, look down on me; When I kneel
in prayer, I hope to meet You there, Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Prepared
by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
