I. James H. Rosecrans (1844-1926) The February 2001 issue of With All Boldness (http://www.faith-facts.com/wab.html) contains biographies of many well-known Christian hymn writers.
II. Verse 1
One step at a time, dear Savior: I cannot take any more;
the flesh is so weak and hopeless: I know not what is before.
Heb. 12:1-3, 1 Pet. 2:21-24, Psa 37:23, Mark 14:38, Ecc 8:6-7,
Gal 2:20.
Jesus wants us to order our steps in this life. We are to be careful
to follow in his steps, not to rush into anything that could lead
us into sin and a separation from Him and the Father. How many
do we see in this life who do not stop and think about the consequences
of their actions? The flesh is weak. Those things in this life
that tempt us, tempt us by appealing to our fleshly desires and
lusts. We do not know what temptations the future holds for us,
so we must be wary of the things of this world and the traps contained
therein. A careful study of God's word and implementation of it,
will help us to avoid problems. The greatest weapon that we have
is prayer. The use of prayer helps us to allay our fears of the
future and will help us to slow down and examine our lives and
our actions.
III. Verse 2
One step at a time, dear Savior: I am not walking by sight;
keep step with my soul, dear Savior: I walk by faith in Thy might.
2 Cor. 5:1-9, Col. 2:1-9, John 20:29, Rom. 1:16-17.
When you were small, did you ever follow your father or mother
and try to step in the same place where their feet had just been?
You were walking by sight. You saw where they were and placed
your feet there. They were there in front of you, you could hear
them and see them. You trusted them not to lead you into danger.
We as Christians place our feet in the steps of Jesus; however,
we cannot physically see Him or hear Him, but we trust in Him
and place our faith in Him to lead us to eternity. The power of
Jesus and His Word leads us through this life. When our flesh
is weak and we feel as though there is no hope, that is when Jesus
is the strength that can carry us through.
IV. Verse 3
One step at a time, dear Savior: O guard my faltering feet!
Keep hold of my hand, dear Savior, till I my journey complete.
Heb 12:11-13, Psa 139:9-11, Isaiah 42:6-7, 2 Tim 4:6-8.
To believe that we do not need help to live this life properly
and to receive the eternal crown is the ultimate in egotistical
behavior. It is not within man to direct his own feet. (Jeremiah
10:23) If we do not reach out for Jesus, we are without hope.
Hope is only found in Jesus.
V. Verse 4
One step at a time, dear Savior: Thou knowest all of my
fear; one word from Thy heart, dear Savior, and heaven's mansions
appear.
Psa 34:3-4, Rom 10:9-11, John 14:1-3.
As previously stated, the Savior has the key to eternal life.
He knows what our fears are, and these can be quelled by putting
faith, trust, and hope in Him, and praying to God through him.
VI. Chorus
One step at a time, dear Savior, till faith, grows stronger
in Thee: one step at a time, dear Savior, till hope grows stronger
in me.
James 2:17-18.
Doing works of faith strengthens our faith in God and and gives
us hope. To believe that all we have to do is to profess our belief
in him and we will be saved, is to leave our faith weak and our
hope lacking God's plan must be followed in it's entirety for
the full effects to be accomplished. When we shortchange what
God can do through us, we shortchange our faith and hope.