Fred Hammond - Step By Step Lyrics
Lyrics
You called
And told me You had need of me
You told me to listen
To every word, this is the key
You said I'll give you treasures
And riches never known
You're whole life long
So it's day by day
Leaving all the world behind me
And it's step by step
I'm following You, oh...
Day by day
Leaving all the world behind me
Every step I take
I'm following You
Now that You've come
And shown me the way
I can see clearly
I know the road I must take, yeah
I must go where You lead me
If to live a life full and free
This is what You ask of me, yeah
Day by day
Leaving all the world behind me
And it's step by step
I'm following You, oh...
Day by day
Leaving all the world behind me
Every step I take
I'm following You
Every day I come to trust You more
Every step, I'm closer than times before
Giving You all, not just a part of me
From the bottom of my heart
This is where it starts
Day to day
And it's step by step
Oh, oh, day by day
Day by day by day
Step I take
I'm following You
Oh, day by day
Leaving all the world behind me
And step by step
I'm following You
Day by day
Leaving all the world behind me
Every step I take
I'm following You
Oh, day by day
Now You know it, finally
Step by step
I'm following You
I'll follow You, yeah
(Day by day)
I'll follow You, yeah, yeah
All the world behind
Every step I take
I'll follow You, oh...
Day by day
Ooh, yeah, we out
Video
Step By Step
Meaning & Inspiration
Fred Hammond’s compelling anthem, "Step By Step," released on April 20, 1993, as a pivotal track from his album *Deliverance*, immediately draws the believer into a profound reflection on the journey of faith. The song opens with a direct, personal encounter, portraying a divine invitation: a call from God with a specific need, emphasizing the crucial importance of listening to "every word" as the ultimate key. This initial summons resonates deeply with scriptural truths, reminding us of God's sovereign choice and purpose for each individual, much like the calling of the prophets in Jeremiah 1:5, where God declares His knowing before birth, or Jesus' words to His disciples in John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit." The promise of "treasures and riches never known" throughout one's life further solidifies the divine reward for obedience, not necessarily material wealth, but the enduring spiritual fulfillment and peace that far surpass earthly possessions, as encouraged in Matthew 6:19-21 to store up treasures in heaven, and in Ephesians 3:20, which speaks of God doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."
The heart of the song's message beats in its recurring chorus, articulating a steadfast commitment to discipleship: "Day by day, leaving all the world behind me, and it's step by step, I'm following You." This isn't a mere suggestion but a declaration of intentional, daily surrender. To "leave all the world behind" directly echoes Christ's radical call in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." It speaks to a conscious detachment from worldly attachments and distractions, aligning one's life with divine priorities, a journey described in 1 John 2:15-17 where believers are cautioned against loving the world. The phrase "step by step" signifies that the spiritual walk is a continuous, progressive journey, not a singular event. It implies perseverance, patience, and unwavering resolve, acknowledging that growth in faith is a process, not an immediate transformation.
As the narrative progresses, the lyrics convey a newfound clarity that emerges from this divine guidance: "Now that You've come and shown me the way, I can see clearly, I know the road I must take." This illumination brings an undeniable sense of direction and purpose, affirming the truth in Psalm 32:8, where God promises, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go." This clarity leads to the understanding that to "live a life full and free," one "must go where You lead me." True freedom, therefore, is not found in autonomy but in submission to divine leading, a concept beautifully articulated in John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This freedom is deeply rooted in trusting God's wisdom over personal understanding, as Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... he will make straight your paths."
The song’s bridge serves as a powerful testament to the deepening intimacy and trust that develop along this daily journey: "Every day I come to trust You more, every step, I'm closer than times before." This progression speaks to the transformative power of consistently engaging with God, reflecting James 4:8, which encourages us to "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." It highlights a growing confidence and an ever-increasing surrender of self, culminating in the profound statement, "Giving You all, not just a part of me, from the bottom of my heart, this is where it starts." This complete offering of oneself aligns with Romans 12:1, urging believers to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God." "Step By Step" ultimately stands as a profound exhortation to embrace a life of unwavering faith, a continuous pilgrimage where each deliberate choice to follow God yields deeper trust, clearer purpose, and an intimate relationship with the Divine, serving as an enduring source of inspiration for all who seek to walk authentically with their Creator.