A year or so ago, during a morning church service, I sang a song that has been important to me for several years. It starts by saying, "Let me tell you about my friend, on whom I depend, He's the best friend I ever knew." Then in the chorus, "though I failed the Lord, He has never failed me". Those are certainly some mighty powerful and meaningful statements and they mean much more to me than just words in a song.
I have been blessed to call many people friends during my life. Lots who I met years ago and many recently. I consider some of them very good friends today and some that are even very special for many reasons. But they all are friends. I love seeing "my sweet friends" and the relationships that we have. I love people and love having the opportunity to share our lives together in one way or the other. During this difficult period we are going through, I miss seeing "my sweet friends"!
It can kind of be lonely without our friends, but there is one who said, He would never leave us or forsake us. "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"! He is our "perfect" friend! This old hymn was written like so many other hymns by someone who was going through a difficult time in his life. Joseph M. Scriven's fiancée drown the night before they were to be married. This was the first event in his life that changed him completely. In 1855, he originally wrote "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" as a poem to his mother not knowing the words would ever be made public. Music was later added in 1868, by Charles Converse, and as I read, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" has been published in over 1500 hymnals.
It is a wonderful old hymn and one of my favorites. The words are so comforting especially during times as we are going through today.
"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 forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
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 weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.
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.
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 prayer— Rapture, praise, and endless worship Will be our sweet portion there."
I was blessed to wake up this morning to hearing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". I hope you will enjoy hearing the version I selected to post. There are so many, I could have picked as this beloved hymn as been recorded by so many across all musical genres.
I also enjoyed watching this video clip of the story behind the hymn. It's about 10 minutes long but I thought you may enjoy it also!
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