Today, I am so very thankful that I have a Friend in Jesus who knows right where I am and just what I need!
"Joseph Scriven watched in shock as the body of his fiancee' was pulled from the lake. Their wedding had been planned for the next day. Reeling from the tragedy, he made up his mind to immigrate to America. Packing up his belongings in Dublin, Ireland, he sailed for Canada, leaving his mother behind. He was about 25 years old. Ten years later, in 1855, he received word that his Mother was facing a crisis. Joseph wrote this poem and sent it to her. She evidently gave a copy to a friend who had it published anonymously, and it quickly became a popular hymn, though no one knew who had written it.
Meanwhile, Joseph fell in love again. But tragedy struck a second time when his bride to be contracted tuberculosis and died in 1860 before their wedding could take place. To escape his sorrow, Joseph poured himself into ministry, doing charity work for the Plymouth Brethren and preaching among the Baptists. He lived a simple, obscure life in Port Hope, Canada, cutting firewood for widows, giving away his clothes and money to those in need. Ira Sankey later wrote --
Until a short time before his death it was not known he had a poetic gift. A neighbor, sitting up with him in his illness, happened upon a manuscript copy of 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'. Reading it with great delight and questioning Bro. Scriven about it, he said that he had composed it for his mother, to comfort her in a time of special sorrow, not intending that anyone else should see it. Some time later, when another Port Hope neighbor asked him if it was true he composed the hymn, his reply was, 'The Lord and I did it between us.'"
"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 Saviour, 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 love the last line of this beloved hymn written so many years ago! Is Jesus your Friend today?
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