Tuesday Evening Thoughts~11.14.23

 In 1855, a man by the name of Joseph M. Scriven, wrote a poem in order to comfort his mother. She was living in Ireland and he resided in Canada at the time. Joseph published this poem anonymously and never was recognized for it until almost thirty years later. Yet, this poem has become what we now know as the old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."  

    I often find myself hearing this song and thinking so deeply on the words of it. The depth of which this poem was written (later turned into a song) is something that as a young child I grew up singing in church as the average Sunday hymn. I never thought twice about the true meaning of it until I was much older and encountered things in life that taught me to rely on the Lord. None the less, I'd like to share what I've learned and what the Lord has showed me through this beautiful song. 

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit 

O 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. 

        I am not sure about your circle of friends, but I have NEVER, found a friend who can bear all my sins and grief. I have a good, strong circle of supportive and loving friends, who correct me in love when I am wrong, are there when I need them, and are true confidants. Yet, I know for a solid fact, that these people cannot bear all my sins and grief. Christ died on the cross to be the friend who could. Hebrews 4:14-16 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted knowing exactly how it feels to be human in every respect as we are, yet without committing any sin." (AMP) 

    The song says, "What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." The definition of privilege is,  "a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular group or person." Now this definition is not completely true in this circumstance. Everyone is more than welcome to bring their concerns before the Lord, no matter how big or how small. BUT it is a special right and advantage gifted to us through Christ on the cross. It is truly a privilege to bring our requests, fears, wants, needs, and anything else before the Lord. 

    "O what peace we often forfeit! O what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." Peace can be described as remaining free from a disturbance or from war, etc., and when someone forfeits, they surrendered. Therefore, we surrender our freedom from disturbances and the spiritual battle being waged, and we actively choose to bear the pain and stress of the all the worries, fears, and other thoughts that burden our hearts and minds, just because we do not take everything to the Lord. "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV) I know how difficult it seems to pray without ceasing, because like anyone I am so guilty of starting to pray and falling asleep, getting distracted, or thinking about how silly whatever I have on my mind is to pray about. The Lord already knows our every thought, why not lift it up? "Lord, please let the price of gas go down." He may not answer that prayer the way you would like, but He already knew you were thinking it. 

    "Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge--Take it to the Lord in prayer...In His arms He'll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there." Oh to count the times I've been ever so weak and heavy-laden. In this season of life, my heart weighs heavy far too many days for so many different reasons. Not to say I do not have happy days and happy moments and I don't make happy memories, but my heart weighs heavy for many different events I encounter on a daily basis. When someone is taking refuge, they are taking shelter from danger or trouble. What a thought to rest in! That we can go to the Lord and be sheltered from our troubles. What a picture of strength and care through someone who deeply loves us. To shield us, shelter us, and provide a solace (a comfort) in times of trouble, weakness, and heavy hearts. 

    

    I say all of this to say, old hymns still ring so true, even all these years later. I find myself seeking old hymns when my heart is hurting, just to rest in the truth and strong words of those much wiser than myself and stronger in the faith. Just a few thoughts for your Tuesday evening. 

All my love, 

Isabella💕