D&C 6:34,36; Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5
My first semester of college was one of numerous challenges. My High School sweetheart had broken up with me, my best friend of 18 years had married and moved away, I had been dropped from the piano performance major because my Carpal Tunnel was affecting my performance ability, and my Mom had been diagnosed with cancer. These were just a few of the big things. It seemed like everything that could go wrong in my life, had gone wrong. I felt so devastated and alone. My Christmas present from my Mom that year was a painting by Derek Hegsted entitled, "I Will Not Fail Thee." The painting is of a young girl, kneeling at the feet of the Savior. You can't see the Savior's face, but His arms are encircling the girl as she clings to Him. The moment I saw the picture, I saw myself in the face of that young girl, and I could literally feel myself encircled about in the arms of His love. I had been tinkering for several weeks with what I thought was to have been a piano solo, but as soon as I saw the picture, I knew that this was the song I had been writing. The words and music went together perfectly and immediately. I wrote the song in its entirety that Christmas day. To this day it is still my favorite. I have never been happy with a recording of it, because I can't seem to control my emotions when I sing this one. I still have the picture hanging on my bedroom wall, and D&C 6 is still my favorite scripture. At those times when I feel that all of earth and hell are combining against me, I remember the scripture, the picture, the song, and I know that when everything else fails, He never will.
There are times in life when you lose your way,
When your world seems filled with doubt and dismay.
When the trials come, Look unto the Lord.
Put your trust in Him and remember His words
I will not fail thee, Nor will I forsake thee.
Reach out and I’ll be there.
I will not fail thee, Nor will I forsake thee.
I am as close as prayer.
Doubt not. Fear not. I am your Rock.
I will not fail thee.
If I ask in prayer I know I’ll receive
And the doors shall all be opened to me.
And I know if I can endure it well,
Neither earth nor hell can ever prevail.
I will not fail thee, Nor will I forsake thee.
Reach out and I’ll be there.
I will not fail thee, Nor will I forsake thee.
I am as close as prayer.
Doubt not. Fear not. I am your Rock.
I will not fail thee.
At the end of days when He comes again,
I will kneel at His feet, My Savior, My friend.
I will find myself encircled about.
In His arms at last, He lays to rest all my doubt.
I will not fail thee, Nor will I forsake thee.
Reach out and I’ll be there.
I will not fail thee, Nor will I forsake thee.
I am as close as prayer.
Doubt not. Fear not. I am your Rock.
I will not fail thee.