Hand In Hand With Jesus

“I the Lord have called thee…and will hold thine hand and will keep thee…” Isa. 42:6

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.”Psalm 73:23

Making the decision to walk hand in hand with Jesus is the very best thing a person can do. That personal relationship with Him gives not only eternal life, but a lasting peace deep within, even when we don’t see much of it around us. Because of Him, we know the best is yet to come!!

I have had the hymn below on my mind for at least three weeks. It’s another of many that I sang as a child and still remember today.

I’m also sharing a little about the author of this hymn, Johnson Oatman, Jr., and the composer, Leonard D. Huffstutler. How special it was to see that I also knew all but two of the other songs Mr. Oatman had written. I’m thinking my hymn-loving family and friends will also recognize them.

Hand in Hand With Jesus

Once from my poor sin sick soul,
Christ did every burden roll,
Now I walk redeemed and whole,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Chorus:
Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way;
Walking thus I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

In my night of dark despair,
Jesus heard and answered prayer,
Now I’m walking free as air,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Chorus:
Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way;
Walking thus I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

From the strait and narrow way,
Praise the Lord, I cannot stray,
For I’m walking ev’ry day,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Chorus:
Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way;
Walking thus I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

When the stars are backward rolled.
And his home I shall behold,
I will walk those streets of gold,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Chorus:
Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way;
Walking thus I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Text written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922). A prolific hymn text author of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Oatman produced such favorites as “Count Your Blessings,” “Higher Ground,” “I’ll Be a Friend to Jesus,” “Lift Him Up,” “No, Not One,” “Sweeter Than All,” “The Last Mile of the Way,” and “What Shall It Profit a Man?” The tune for “Hand in Hand with Jesus” was composed by Leonard D. Huffstutler, who was born on June 17, 1887, at Liberty, Alabama, and raised on a farm in Texas. As a boy he learned to sing gospel songs from his mother.
After attending Texas A & M College, Huffstutler studied music with such men as R. H. Cornelius, Homer Rodeheaver, A. B. Sebren, and J. B. Herbert. For the next sixty years, he followed his lifelong career of singing in gospel quartets and teaching in singing schools for the Hartford and Stamps Baxter Music Companies. Most books say that “Hand in Hand with Jesus” was copyrighted by Stamps-Baxter in their 1940 book Golden Key, and renewed by them in 1968 (some newer books are even saying copyright 1981 by Stamps Baxter, and one recent book says copyright 1923, renewal 1981 by Stamps

Prayer: Dear God, how wonderful it is that we are able to walk hand in hand with You. Thank You for loving us so much that You would save our sin-sick soul. We praise You for adopting us into Your family through salvation in Jesus Christ. We humble ourselves before You and ask that we be continually strengthened in order to serve You well. Give us Your wisdom and clarity as we seek to share Jesus with those around us. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.