What’s in a song🎵 What’s a friend! 🙌2024 – Week 36

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often fofeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weaknes;
Take it to the Lord in prayer

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer,
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for þraver
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there

Joseph M Scriven, ca 1853

This beloved song was a staple of my church upbringing, sung regularly in Sunday School and Youth Fellowship. And it still is.

Its lyrics resonate deeply with me, yet I have never paused to consider the story behind its creation – the author’s inspiration, circumstances, and context. It wasn’t until recently that I discovered the poignant tale of its origins.

Though tinged with sadness, the story testifies to the power of perseverance, prayer, and unwavering faith in God’s mercy. It celebrates the incomparable joy of having Jesus as a constant companion, a friend to whom we can turn in every situation, no matter the circumstance.

Below is the study taken from the book “Hymns Volume 1, Daily Grace Co.” It’s from this study that I learned more about “What a friend we have in Jesus.”

Joseph Scriven was at the peak of his youth, enjoying his money, intelligence, a loving family, and a beautiful fiancé.The night before his wedding, his bride drowned in a tragic accident.

Following this tragedy, Joseph relocated and made a new life for himself, one with a mission to help anyone in need. He became a friend to many, and he soon became known as the Good Samaritan of Cape Hope.

One day, he got word that his mother was ill. He mailed her a letter, including a little poem that he had written to encourage her. Sometime later, a friend visited Joseph during his own time of illness.

This friend noticed the poem that he had sent to his mother scribbled on a piece of paper on Joseph’s bedside table. He asked Joseph, who wrote the poem, and Joseph replied, “The Lord and I, between the two of` us.”

Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him,and he reveals his covenant to them.”

Jesus is not a fair-weather friend. Nor is He a friend just for our tough times. He is a friend for every day. The Lord longs to commune with us. He longs to make known His covenant to us. He longs to call us friends.

What “peace we often forfeit,” and what “needless pain we bear” simply because we do not take Jesus, our friend, up on His offer of constant communication.

Let us start today, taking everything before the Lord – the good and the bad. Let us not give up any more peace because we try to carry our burdens alone. Let us call on our true friend.

Study by Cara Cobble Trantham, Daily Grace Co

Hope this study encourages you as it did for me. May we always be reminded that Jesus is the best friend, an all-weather companion that anyone could ever ask for ❤️

To God be the glory always 🙏