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 Savoir, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savoir, 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.

Joseph M. Scriven 1855

I stood looking out over the North Sea; my heart full of confusion and pain. It was my second year at university in St Andrews, Scotland.  I was depressed and confused, it was one of the lowest times of my life (to date)!  A good friend stood at my side and asked me a penetrating question, “What is the worst thing that could happen right now?”

I didn’t have to reach far into my imagination, “That I’ll end up in the local mental health hospital.” In admitting it out loud I felt like I’d just taken a step further in that direction.  Tears streamed down my face.  I felt totally alone and beyond help.

“Would Jesus be there?” came yet another question from my wise friend.  “Yeah,” I admitted. “I guess He would.”

At that moment a light went on somewhere in my heart and mind.  Jesus would be there.  Jesus is there, here, right now.  “Walking in the darkest places is pretty scary when you are by yourself,” my friend continued “Walking with someone else means it becomes an adventure.”

He gently chided my self-pity and encouraged me to see that there were good friends around who would walk with me in the darkest of situations but the reality is the The Great Friend, the LORD Jesus, is always close at hand in the lives of those who live for Him.

Whether turmoil is internal or external, whether we are fighting our inner selves or caught in the ferocity of war and persecution there is the assurance of the friendship of Christ Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit and the steady presence of The Heavenly Father in those who know him by faith.

I once heard a story told of Richard Wurmbrand, who spent many years in Soviet prisons for his preaching of Christ where it was illegal.  He was told he was to be put in solitary confinement.  He replied, to the fury of his captors, that it would be impossible to do so for Jesus would always be with him, regardless of the depths to which they stooped.  That is our assurance and hope in even the darkest of situations.

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10