TAKE IT TO THE LORD – OUR REFUGE AND SOLACE
April 8, 2024GOD IS GOOD
April 10, 2024There would probably be very few Christians, who may not have heard the beautiful English hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” It has such deep theology, and sound biblical understanding of life and living. It is one of my favourite English hymns, and I am sure, it is, for many of you too. Let us see, what is the story behind it.
Joseph M. Scriven, a preacher, living in Canada, wrote “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” in 1855, as a comforting poem to his mother, who was living in Ireland. Sometime later, Joseph Scriven himself became unwell. One of his friends came to see him while sick. This friend saw the poem, scribbled on a waste paper near his bed. Impressed by the words, the friend asks, “Who wrote these beautiful words?” Scriven replies: “The Lord and I did it between us.”
No wonder then, what Joseph M. Scriven, a preacher, penned as a comforting poem to his needy mother, turned into a beautiful hymn of comfort to many, even since. Truly, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!” Is Jesus our friend? Does Jesus comfort us? Do we run to Him in times of need?
