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.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
By: Joseph M. Scriven, 1819-1886 (1855)
Listen to this simple piano version as you read, or watch the video complete with lyrics then read. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We continue our journey through another great hymn today. In the second half of this stanza, we consider the comfort and consolation we can find from distress by welcoming His friendship if we will “Take it to the Lord in prayer”. What kinds of distress? Let’s think about this.
I Thought You Were My Friend
We have all uttered some version of that statement if we have lived long enough. The disappointment of a “friend” despising or forsaking us. I am sorry to bring it up, but it provides a context to welcome again the friendship Jesus offers.
Will you recall for just a moment the pain of that memory when you thought or actually spoke those words? Not the circumstance, not the scenario, just that moment that allows you to answer honestly “yes” to this question.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Now will you bring it to Jesus? Maybe again. Maybe for the first time.
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
As you bring it, ask Him to heal your heart from that pain. To allow His presence to be a balm to your broken heart. Maybe you are way past it, but there are still cracks. Let Him fill them with His love.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 ESV
In this verse the contrast seems to be between two kinds of companions. We have all experienced some examples of the first kind, those whose friendship is superficial and who cause trouble. But I hope you have also experienced at least on one occasion the rare friend who is as loyal as a brother.
Of course, Jesus is the epitome of that kind of friend. Do you know that? If so, thank Him and ask Him to show you agin today that friendship. If not, go to Him right now and ask Him to show Himself to you today in that way. And then keep your eyes open for He will!
Jesus Is More Than a Friend
Not only is Jesus that friend who sticks closer than a brother, there is truly no friend like Him who shows infinite mercy and possesses limitless power. We often need mercy because of our own choices, but we also need power for the protection from the effect of others’ actions. The amazing thing is Jesus has the ability to mingle the mercy and the might in the same expression.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Jesus gives us strength even while helping us and holding us in His arms. He is with us. Can you recall the last time to stopped to receive that kind of love from Him. Maybe you have been plodding along and did not realize how much you need it, whether you are in fearful or dismaying spot or not. You need to open your heart to the tender and strong love of our Savior.
Maybe you are VERY aware of your need of it. Maybe you could name several things that seem to be pressing in our your soul, any one of which could consume you if it were not for the kindness of our God. You can experience it today, even in the midst of that distress.
Jesus wants to take you in His arms and shield you, providing a solace for you which has no equal. Solace is comfort and consolation in a time of distress. Whether you are feeling the distress today or not, take a few moments to come and experience the rest only Jesus offers. It will be well worth those few minutes.
If you did not already listen to the podcast I want to urge you to do so. Every week we create a few minutes in them for you to encounter Jesus and His solace. Either way, take a few minutes now, whether through that experience or one of your own, to just rest in the protective shield of His love for you. Thanks for stopping by today. Be resonant.
Jesus, thank You for being a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and mingles mercy and might together whenever I need. Teach me to come to Your regularly so I can avail myself of Your unparalleled care for me every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Honest Thinking!
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Podcast 13.3 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV
Another rhetorical question answered with an emphatic “Yes!” We have burdens of many kinds and too often we try to carry them alone. What burdens are you carrying today. Again make a quick mental list of your cares. We will do something with them in a moment.
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 ESV
Those things that we might think are meant to destroy us are meant simply to help us find our refuge in God. Recall that mental list from a few moments ago, all those cares, and pour them out to Jesus right now. Trust Him to meet you and lift those burdens.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 ESV
The contrast seems to be between two kinds of companions: those whose friendship is superficial and who cause trouble, and the rare friend who is as loyal as a brother
So there are friends, and there are friends. Some are superficial ones whose friendship actually causes trouble, and others rare ones who are as loyal as a brother. Jesus is the epitome of loyalty and will never despise or forsake you. Thank Him for that.
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Not only will He never forsake or despise you, but He will actually draw you close so you may find strength, help, and even a lifting in your spirit. Solace is comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness. That is exactly what Jesus offers His friends. Receive it now…and always.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
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.
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Who Mingles Mercy and Might Masterfully? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Friends Forsake? – https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-sadness-loneliness-sad-3421489/
In His Arms – https://pixabay.com/vectors/hug-love-feeling-need-sticker-2702900/
Shield You – https://pixabay.com/vectors/shield-escutcheon-heraldic-shield-31869/
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