This happened during the Cornerstone Regent Park Soup Kitchen. I was playing hymns on that very out-of-tune out-of-shape piano and an elderly man came over to comment. He told me he really liked the hymns I played and he only knows the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Turns out he plays the piano at his church for only 2 hymns and I asked him to play it for me on the piano.

He played a really weird somewhat-like jazz version of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Although I did not really like that interpretation, I do not disapprove of any worship music when the intentions are correct). Later, we talked and he told me he is worrying very much about the political state of his home country along with his household struggles. I asked him does he pray about it and he told me that he only prays when he is in deep trouble and only then does God answer his prayer. The ironic thing is I don’t really think he looked carefully at the lyrics of this hymn.

For today’s blog post, I challenge you, my beloved brothers and sisters to meditate on the lyrics of this old hymn. There is a lot to take out from this hymn and the posts for the next few days will be based on this famous hymn as we discover God’s goodness and how we should treat Him as our best friend, and at the same time fear Him. The hymn has enough to speak for itself!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus — Joseph M. Scriven (1855)

 

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.

Blessed Saviour, 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.

 

God Bless you all! 😀