By Pastor Mark Woodward
Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston
(and Lenora)
Traditional, Christian hymns have much to offer our world today. In about 1855 Joseph M. Scriven composed the words to a great Christian hymn. From time to time, I believe we all feel lonely, discouraged and sad. For our devotions today, I’d like to have Joseph Scriven’s great hymn speak to us.
“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.”
May this old, traditional song written so long ago be a source of encouragement and hope for you and me.
Written by Joseph M. Scriven in 1855. Music by Charles C. Converse in 1868. Page 526 of the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal.)
God’s Blessings always!