The Lord will Provide
Here is a John Newton hymn (1775) that I rewrote a while back. While I was writing the tune and especially the refrain, I had a picture in my mind of the people of God going through hard times. I saw them traveling from one place to another on pilgrimage or on the run, weary and in need and I wanted to put a song in their mouths for their encouragement. I also wrote it with a call and response type refrain in mind so that the worshiping community would be repeating to themselves the promise of God's help rooted in his action of purchasing us through the death of his son. I recorded it in my office and Rebekah Osborn joined in with harmony.
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The Lord will Provide (listen/download) (chord chart)
The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed; From them let us learn to trust God for our bread. His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied Just as long as it’s written, “The Lord will provide.”
Though troubles assail us and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite, Just one thing secures us, whatever betide, His Spirit assures us, “The Lord will provide.”
Leader: And this promise remains, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Through all ages unchanged, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: In all our want, in our pain, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Faithful through all of our days.
When Satan assails us to stop up our path, And courage all fails us, we stand but by faith. He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, This heart glad’ning gospel, “The Lord will provide.”
We’re told we are weak, and our hope is in vain, The good that we seek we never shall obtain, But when such suggestions, our graces have tried, This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”
Leader: And this promise remains, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Through all ages unchanged, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: In all our want, in our pain, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Faithful through all of our days.
No strength of our own and no goodness we claim; Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name, We run to this strong tow’r and for safety we hide: For the Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”
When life sinks apace, and death is in view, The word of His grace shall comfort us through, Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side, We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”
Leader: And this promise remains, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Through all ages unchanged, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: In all our want, in our pain, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Faithful through all of our days.