Last night at Joshua’s induction service in Belfast we sang a wonderful old Fanny Crosby hymn that was, I confess, new to me. But it was so appropriate for the occasion as Joshua embarks on pastoral ministry.

Let me share the words with you:

I must have the Saviour with me,
For I dare not walk alone;
I must feel his presence near me,
And his arm around me thrown.

Refrain:
Then my soul shall fear no ill;
Let him lead me where he will,
I will go without a murmur,
And his footsteps follow still.

I must have the Saviour with me,
For my faith at best is weak;
He can whisper words of comfort
That no other voice can speak.

I must have the Saviour with me
In the onward march of life;
Through the tempest and the sunshine,
Through the battle and the strife.

I must have the Savior with me,
And His eye the way must guide,
Till I reach the vale of Jordan,
Till I cross the rolling tide.

It strongly reminds me of Moses’ cry to God in Exodus 33:15

If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.