What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

I’ve heard it said that only bad things can come from grief. That has not been my experience. Grief, I have found, can tear us down if we let it, or it can make us stronger.

As a young man, Joseph Scriven had a lot to live for. He had graduated from college and was engaged to be married. Life was looking great. His fiancé, however, would never make it to the altar with him. She tragically drowned before their wedding.

Grief stricken, he left his home in Ireland to make a new life for himself in Canada hoping to put his grief behind him. Over time, he met another young lady and became engaged again. She, too, died before they married.

Joseph, devastated and reeling from life, never gave up. Rather, he accepted his fate and vowed himself to a life of poverty and helping others.

When he learned that his mother was not well, in spite of his own grief and troubles, he comforted her by writing her a poem. It was so beautifully written that she shared it with others and it eventually became known to his friends.

Joseph’s poem about grief and pain and the friendship of Jesus to help us through it, was too good to keep to themselves. So, some of those friends sent a copy of it to a music publisher. Once it was set to music it became one of the most popular hymns ever written.

I’m certain you have sung Joseph’s hymn before. You just didn’t know about his journey to overcoming discouragement and sorrow. Here are the lyrics to Joseph’s hymn:

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!

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 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.

Blessed Savior, 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.