'Stand by Me…When the Storms of Life are Raging' — Via the Wayfaring Gal (10/22/2023)

‘Stand by Me…When the Storms of Life are Raging’ — Via the Wayfaring Gal (10/22/2023)

 

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. (Ps 41:12)

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Ps 51:12)

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5)

 

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I fell in love with the following song, Stand by Me, when I heard it for the first time. While this song is simple in its production, it is beautiful and speaks volumes about the narrow way; how the search for Jesus and His salvation is not simply an altar call experience, nor “saying a sincere sinner’s prayer,” nor following some “ABCs of salvation“…

It is a battle for one’s soul.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1Tim 6:12)

When I went looking for the Stand by Me lyrics I discovered that most versions left out the following verses which were in the original song by Charles Albert Tindley:

In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
When my foes in battle array, undertake to stop “my way”,
thou who saved Paul and Silas, stand by me.

(Paul and Silas: Acts 16:19-40)

 

I was rather disappointed they were left out because, to me, these verses specifically speak of the narrow way.

Anyone who reads my Blog knows the importance of the strait gate and narrow way and what they mean to me in my own walk, and obviously what they meant to Mr. Tindley.

As I searched for other Stand by Me versions that included the above verses, I wasn’t as moved by any of them as much as I was by this one sung by “Selah”.

It’s still a shame the verses weren’t included, because I can just hear her singing those words as well.

All-in-all, what a beautiful rendition…

 

One thing I know for sure is, I cannot hide anything from the Lord. He has seen and heard everything I have ever done; and even then, He has never forsaken me. He may have chastised me, but he has never forsaken me.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Prov 15:3)

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (Heb 12:8)

Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:) (2Chr 6:30)

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (Ps 139:2)

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (Ps 139:3)

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. (Ps 139:4)

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. (John 16:30)

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“Stand by Me” by Selah

Also recorded by others as: “When the Storms of Life are Raging (Stand by Me)”

LYRICS

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
When I’ve done the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me.

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And as I sit here in the lowest room waiting for He who bade me to come, it has become quite obvious how fast the time goes. I see myself growing old and on my way to being feeble…just like in the song.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (Jas 4:14)

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) (Job 8:9)

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (1Pet 1:24)

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1Pet 5:6)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1Pet 5:7)

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One Final Note: While this song speaks of calling on the Lord in difficult times, I have learned to call upon the Lord at ALL times; to praise Him and thank Him every single day for all my blessings. Amen.

 

~ Wayfaring Gal ~

 

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Download a Most-Helpful Guide to the Narrow Way and True, Biblical Salvation, Written by a Man Who Walked it to the End: NarrowWayTruth.com

 

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