Listen to What A Friend We Have In Jesus by Sharon B.C
Joseph Scriven, author of this hymn was a man who experienced the friendship of Christ during a life filled with trouble. As a young man in Ireland, about 1840, his intended bride was accidently drowned the evening before their wedding. Hehad begun training as a military cadet, but poor health forced him to abandon his dreams of a career in this field.
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?J
esus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Moving to Canada, he became a servant of the underprivileged, helping those who were physically handicapped and financially destitute. But tragedy continued to stall his steps. Once again, the plans for a wedding were cut short when his second fiancee died following a brief illness. It seemed that Joseph Scriven was destined to go through life alone, knowing only the friendship of Jesus Christ.
Through much of his life he experienced loneliness, meagerpay for menial work, and physical illness. This hymn is his testimony that prayer does not necessarily eliminate trouble from our lives. But, in the midst of tragedy, temptations and weakness, Christ will be our ever-present Friend who will give us peace "take and shield us" and carry our "load of care."
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load ofeare?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord inprayer.
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.
After his death, in recognition of his sacrificial service to others, a monument was erected in Port Hope, in Ontario, Canada, in tribute to Joseph Scriven, an Irish immigrant who was a friend to many and who found a friend in Jesus.
"A friend is a person who knows all about us, yet loves us just the same." This definition carries an idea that would probably disqualify a few. Because if we are to openly exhibit our inward selves --the thoughts which reveal our insecurities and prejudices --we would probably lose contact with many people we consider to be our "friends."
How many of our friendships are dependent upon social position or financial status? We entertain and are entertained by the folk who live in our social level. What if our financial situation should change-- either for better or for worse -- causing us to move to a different social and economic level? Would our friendships or relationships bridge the gap of that change? Possibly not always
For most of us, continuing friendship depends on a delicate balance of "give and take." If our friend should snub us, or ask too often for a favor, or fail to reciprocate adequately, the relationship would be jeopardized. But not so with Christ; it is not possible to "presume" on his friendship." He forgives. He is a friend who listens to our every request, and answers each time in just the way that is best for us.
ref: from "Crusader Hymn Stories"- Billy Graham