This is the first song I ever wrote as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ…nothing fancy by any stretch but it amazes me how that we knew so much of what was required of us while yet babes in Christ. Twenty-one years later, I feel we have only been learning what we’ve known all along, that faith is the key and substance of our walk with God, that we must come away from all carnal thought and participation in order to walk with God by faith and be pleasing to Him.
CHORUS (repeat after every verse):
You’ve gotta learn how to walk by faith,
you’ve gotta learn how to walk by faith,
You’ve gotta learn how to walk by faith,
if you’re ever gonna walk with the Lord.
VERSE 1
You can’t go by your own understanding;
do as He says and stop demanding;
You won’t understand so stop your figuring,
if you’re ever gonna walk with the Lord.
VERSE 2
You’ll have to say good-bye to all institutions,
carnal men’s creeds and all their traditions;
You’ll have to say good-bye to their doctrines and systems
if you’re ever gonna walk with the Lord.
VERSE 3
You’ve gotta say good-bye to mother and father;
if they won’t come with you then you just don’t bother;
Only those in Jesus will you call brother
if you’re ever gonna walk with the Lord.
VERSE 4
You can’t walk by your eyes and ears;
you’re gonna have to shake all your doubts and fears;
Be ready to accept heavy trials and tears
if you’re ever gonna walk with the Lord.
VERSE 5
The most important part of this wonderful story,
the part you must know if you’re to enter into glory,
Is if you start and finish, you’ll never be sorry,
if you put your trust in the Lord.
While traveling, 1975-Oct.’83
Related posts:
"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." At the time I wrote this, I sincerely thought and desired that I would give anything and everything. I haven't changed on that except that the Lord has given me more since then and the more I have, the less possible it seems that I can give all. I now have a son and am much more appreciative of what it cost God to give His Son. We have these sincere thoughts as did Peter on the last night but to perform is terribly difficult and even impossible, I say. Only by the grace of God can we give Him everything and it is not without pain if we have that which is valuable to us to give. But being a jealous God, we must surrender all to Him and He is faithful, patiently and mercifully enabling us to do His will.
I think that one of the greatest battles I have ever had has been to forsake family and more particularly my parents, and perhaps most particularly, my father. His draw on my heart was so powerful, so very powerful. In his last years, his state was so pitiable that it was very hard for me to refuse him any wishes. It was agonizing indeed. But he died and was buried on my birthday, April 1, 1985. His death was the morning after I received a vision of the Lord standing up to put a stop to the enemies who were tormenting me. I did not know anything of my father's death until the following morning, or that his death and the vision were related. In his death, I felt loosened, with new freedom and power.
An exhilarating path it is but a lonely one. Each segment of this path brings its trials and troubles but also its rewards along with proof and assurance that any segment of it is more than worth the endeavour.