In 1954, Christian musician Alfred B. Smith (1916-2001) was enlisted to lead the singing at the Founder’s Week Conference, at Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago. With some five thousand people gathered, many of them experienced singers, Smith said it was like leading one big choir.

At the close of one session, he had them sing Fanny Crosby’s song of faith, All the Way My Saviour Leads Me. What a thrill it was to all, as they sang together in four-part harmony, ending with “This my song through endless ages– Jesus led me all the way.” Smith himself was overwhelmed with that thought, and asked them to repeat the last line, softly, without the accompaniment of the great organ and the two grand pianos–

“Jesus led me all the way.”

God’s people can’t always see clearly how the Lord leads us along, but He does. Of the Israelites in the wilderness the Bible says, “You [Lord] in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed” (Exod. 15:13). Through many trials–and repeated failures to trust the Lord–He brought them at last to the Promised Land.

The New Testament says, “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). It’s an identifying characteristic of the redeemed: “All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (NASB). And, “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (II Cor. 2:14). Even when we go through times of difficulty and carry wearying burdens, we are on the winning side, and the Lord will lead us through to victory.

But, back to that conference session. It was broadcast over the radio, and listening in that day was another gospel musician, John Peterson. Shortly afterward, he met his friend Al Smith, and mentioned the great personal blessing the singing of Fanny Crosby’s hymn had been, with the repeating of “Jesus led me all the way.” To which Smith replied, “Why don’t you write a complete song, using Fanny’s last line as the title.” And he did.

1) Some day life’s journey will be o’er,
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I’ll sing, while ent’ring heaven’s door,
“Jesus led me all the way.”

Jesus led me all the way,
Let me step by step each day;
I will tell the saints and angels
As I lay by burden down,
“Jesus led me all the way.”

2) If God should let me there review
The winding paths of earth I knew,
It would be proven, clear and true–
Jesus led me all the way.”