Wednesday Worship - November 4, 2015

I remember the first time I heard What a Friend We Have in Jesus...  Words that spoke comfort to me...

The stanzas so beautifully written, speaking to the heart of every believer, in whatever trial they might find themselves in...

The story behind the hymn ...

Irish born Joseph Scriven endured the unthinkable not just once, but twice...  His fiance died the day before their wedding in a tragic drowning accident.  Heartbroken, he sailed to Canada to start a new life where he met Eliza and fell in love.  They became engaged, but before the wedding took place, Eliza died...

Joseph's faith sustained him and he joined the Plymouth Brethren and began preaching for a Baptist Church.   He never married, but spent the remainder of his life giving all his time, money and even the clothes off his own back to help the less fortunate and to spread the love and compassion of Jesus wherever he went.

Around the time that his second fiance died, he received word from Ireland that his mother was ill.  Because he could not go to be with her, he sent along a poem to comfort her entitled What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

"Many years later a friend was sitting with Joseph, as he was very ill. During this visit, the friend was very impressed when he ran across his poems, including What a Friend We Have in Jesus. As a result of this visit, almost 30 years after his letter of comfort to his mother, Joseph's poems were published in a book called Hymns and Other Verses. Soon thereafter, noted musician Charles C. Converse (1834-1918) put music to one of those poems: What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

"After Joseph Scriven's death, the citizens of Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, where he gave so much of himself, erected a monument to his life. The seemingly sad and obscure life of one man resulted in so many lives being uplifted, both in his own time, and for many years after whenever the beautiful and comforting words of What a Friend We Have in Jesus are sung."

{Quoted excerpts were taken from www.sharefaith.com}

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 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.

Enjoy this version by EpicYouthWatsonville

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