What a JOYful Friend We Have in JESUS!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If your best friend is Jesus, I’m sure you’ve already had a sweet serving of JOY!

            Many songs have been written through the years regarding a relationship with Jesus.  “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”  is a hymn with simply-stated truths that have brought solace and comfort to countless people through the ages.  It was written in 1857 and really not meant for publication.  The writer, Joseph Scriven was far away from his home when he learned of his mother’s serious illness.  Because he was unable to be with her, he wrote a letter of comfort to her, enclosing the words of a poem he had written.  Some time later when he himself was ill, a friend came to visit him and saw the poem scribbled on scratch paper near the bed. The friend read it with interest and asked Scriven if he had written the words. Scriven modestly, replied, "The Lord and I did it between us."

Many missionaries have said that this hymn with its simple spiritual truth is one of the first hymns taught to new converts. You and I should revisit the words of this old hymn and examine our own hearts.  Are we allowing Jesus to be our friend? 

Listen to the first verse: 

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.

          May each of us bask in the love of God.  Joyfully accept Jesus as your best friend Who will “never leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6