God has a way of bringing good out of pain and suffering, and one such example is the story behind the well beloved hymn "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." The man behind the lyrics, Joseph Scriven, had a heart for serving the Lord. He was from Northern Ireland and had found a wonderful lady to marry. However, tragedy struck on the night before their wedding in 1843 when his fiancée accidentally drowned.
The following year, at the age of 25, Scriven left his native country and migrated to Canada to serve the Lord. But his time there was brief as he became very ill, and he returned for good in 1847. In 1855, he received devastating news that his mother was terribly ill, and he wrote a poem to comfort her. This poem was meant only for his mother's eyes, and he had no intention of publishing it.
However, a neighbor who was sitting with Scriven during another illness of his came across the poem in a desk and was delighted by it. The neighbor questioned Scriven about the poem, and he explained that he had written it for his mother to comfort her during a time of special sorrow. Somehow the poem was published in a newspaper and given the title “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”
In 1857, Scriven fell in love again and was due to be married. But tragedy struck once more when his fiancée fell ill with pneumonia and passed away in August 1860. Scriven was heartbroken, but he continued to trust in God and find solace in the LORD.
In 1886, Scriven himself fell ill with fever and was brought to a friend's home to recover. On a hot night, he may have gone outside to cool down or get a drink of cold water from the spring. The next day, his friend was shocked to find Scriven's lifeless body in the nearby river. He had drowned.
Despite the many heartbreaks and pangs that Joseph Scriven endured in his life, his testimony of His God lives on through the hymn "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." Through his trials and struggles, Scriven found comfort in Jesus and was able to create something that has touched the hearts of millions of Christians around the world.
If you find yourself in a season of suffering or pain, it can be challenging to see beyond the present circumstances. However, it's essential to remember that God has a purpose. The LORD is able to bring about something good out of your tribulations. Perhaps you may not see the good today, but one day in the future, somebody or some millions of persons will be blessed because of the sufferings you are experiencing today.
The following year, at the age of 25, Scriven left his native country and migrated to Canada to serve the Lord. But his time there was brief as he became very ill, and he returned for good in 1847. In 1855, he received devastating news that his mother was terribly ill, and he wrote a poem to comfort her. This poem was meant only for his mother's eyes, and he had no intention of publishing it.
However, a neighbor who was sitting with Scriven during another illness of his came across the poem in a desk and was delighted by it. The neighbor questioned Scriven about the poem, and he explained that he had written it for his mother to comfort her during a time of special sorrow. Somehow the poem was published in a newspaper and given the title “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”
In 1857, Scriven fell in love again and was due to be married. But tragedy struck once more when his fiancée fell ill with pneumonia and passed away in August 1860. Scriven was heartbroken, but he continued to trust in God and find solace in the LORD.
In 1886, Scriven himself fell ill with fever and was brought to a friend's home to recover. On a hot night, he may have gone outside to cool down or get a drink of cold water from the spring. The next day, his friend was shocked to find Scriven's lifeless body in the nearby river. He had drowned.
Despite the many heartbreaks and pangs that Joseph Scriven endured in his life, his testimony of His God lives on through the hymn "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." Through his trials and struggles, Scriven found comfort in Jesus and was able to create something that has touched the hearts of millions of Christians around the world.
If you find yourself in a season of suffering or pain, it can be challenging to see beyond the present circumstances. However, it's essential to remember that God has a purpose. The LORD is able to bring about something good out of your tribulations. Perhaps you may not see the good today, but one day in the future, somebody or some millions of persons will be blessed because of the sufferings you are experiencing today.
“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!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
