One, a missionary to Brazil home on furlough, told the
other, a hymn writer leading the music for the conference, that a health issue
would keep him from returning to the country he had grown to love. The news,
received just days before, had broken his heart.
The hymn writer asked, “What will you do?” And through
tears, the missionary, R.S. Jones, told the hymn writer, B.B. McKinney, “Wherever
He leads, I’ll go.”
McKinney was born to James Calvin and Martha Annis (Heflin)
McKinney in Heflin, Louisiana, on July 22, 1886. He was educated at Mt. Lebanon
Academy, Louisiana. He served in the United States Army in 1918. On June 11,
1918, he married Leila Irene Routh, to whom two sons were born, Baylus
Benjamin, Jr., and Eugene Calvin.
McKinney also studied at Louisiana College, Pineville, La.; Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Tex.; Siegel-Myers School of Music,
Chicago, Ill. (B.M., 1922); Bush Conservatory of Music, Chicago, Ill. Oklahoma
Baptist University, Shawnee, Okla., awarded him the honorary Doctor of Music
degree, 1942.
McKinney was at the top of his career when he traveled to
the Alabama Sunday School Convention in January 1936. The year before,
the Heflin, Louisiana native was named editor for the Baptist Sunday School
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. That’s where he met with his good
friend of many years, R. S. Jones, when he heard the famous words, “Wherever He
leads I’ll go.”
McKinney was unable to get his friend’s words out of his
mind. Before the convention session that evening, the Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary alumni and faculty member, had expanded his
friend’s words to write both the lyrics and melody to the hymn, “Wherever He
Leads I’ll Go.”
When McKinney shared the previous conversation with the
congregation, he then premiered his new hymn as he began to sing, “Take up that
cross and follow me. I heard my Master say.”
McKinney wrote the words and music to 149 hymns and gospel
songs. His most famous are "The Nail Scarred Hand" (1924), "Let
Others See Jesus in You" (1924), "Satisfied with Jesus" (1926),
"Speak to My Heart" (1927), "Neath the Old Olive Trees"
(1934), "Breathe on Me" (1937), and "Wherever He Leads I'll Go"
(1937). He was also the editor of the widely-used Broadman Hymnal (1940,
Nashville).
On Sunday, September 7, 1952, McKinney had just left a
conference in Ridgecrest, NC and was headed for another engagement in Gatlinburg,
TN. While near Bryson City, NC, McKinney was killed in a car
accident. In addition to his wife, two sons, and several brothers, he
left behind a legacy that included numerous hymns.
His hometown of Heflin holds an annual McKinney song service
each July to celebrate his 149 hymns and gospel songs.
According to the Baptist Press, Jones served on the Southern
Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board for thirty-seven years. He and his
wife served as missionaries to Brazil from 1920 until 1930. He retired from a
life of service in 1958, having served as treasurer to the Foreign Mission
Board for the last decade of his service.
Bibleref.com: Paul has in mind both a spiritual and literal understanding here. Timothy is to be set apart and holy. However, he is also still talking about vessels. Clean, set apart vessels are "useful to the master of the house." The Master is a reference to the Lord. Those set apart as holy are "ready for every good work."
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: Coming after Jesus means becoming a disciple of His. Denying self is more fundamental than denying things. It involves forsaking one’s personal ambitions and desires to fulfill the Will of God. It means living for His sake rather than our own.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Jesus emphasized a mutual relationship. It isn’t only that the disciple abides in the Master; the Master also abides in the disciple. Something of this close relationship is described in Song of Solomon 6:3: “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” Jesus used this picture to assure His disciples of continued connection and relationship even though He was about to depart from them. Yet He spoke this in a way that also indicated an aspect of choice on their part. Abiding was something they must choose . . . “When our Lord says: Abide in me He is talking about the will, about the choices, the decisions we make. We must decide to do things which expose ourselves to Him and keep ourselves in contact with Him. This is what it means to abide in Him.” (Boice)
Bibleref.com: David could walk through a dark ravine, perhaps even death, fearlessly, because the Lord walked with him. David explains his lack of fear because "You are with me." It is interesting to observe that the "shadow of death" drew David closer to the Lord. He addresses the Lord as "You," whereas in the peaceful places he called the Lord "He."
Biblehub.com, Pulpit Commentary: The quiet paths of righteousness and peace remind the poet of the exact opposite - the dark and dismal way through the valley of the shadow of death. Even when so situated, he does not, he will not, fear. I will fear no evil, he says. And why? For Thou art with me. The same Protector, the same gracious and merciful God, will be still with him - leading him, guiding his steps, shepherding him, keeping him from evil. Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff - i.e. Thy shepherd's crook, and Thy staff of defense - they comfort me. They make me feel that, however long and however dreary the way through the dark vale, I shall still have Thy guidance and Thy protection.
Bibleref.com: The description David claims here is from the Hebrew word nākon, which implies stability, preparation, and firmness. David's faith is well-prepared and entirely committed to the Lord God. He has no intention of abandoning his faith, even in the face of danger. Thriving trust in the Lord leads to thankfulness and praise. While those who reject God bring themselves punishment and shame, a Christian believer's sense of joy can be intensely reassuring.
Biblehub.com, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Paul regarded himself as a signal trophy of God's victorious power in Christ. His Almighty Conqueror was leading him about, through all the cities of the Greek and Roman world, as an illustrious example of His power at once to subdue and to save. The foe of Christ was now the servant of Christ. As to be led in triumph by man is the most miserable, so to be led in triumph by God is the most glorious lot that can befall any [Trench]. Our only true triumphs are God's triumphs over us. His defeats of us are our only true victories [Alford]. The image is taken from the triumphal procession of a victorious general. The additional idea is perhaps included, which distinguishes God's triumph from that of a human general, that the captive is brought into willing obedience to Christ, and so joins in the triumph: God "leads him in triumph" as one not merely triumphed over, but also as one triumphing over God's foes with God.
We may not always know where He will lead, but we do know we can choose to follow. The next time we stand at a crossroads of indecision and are asked what we will do, may we have the grace to reply like R.S. Jones and B.B. McKinney, “Wherever He leads, I’ll go.”
