What A Friend.
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.
"What A Friend We Have in Jesus"
This song has been one the Lord has used in my life over and over and over again since last summer. It has definitely become a favorite of mine, especially as I pause and reflect on the powerful lyrics and their truth.Those of us who have decided to follow Jesus and have placed our trust in Him has access to a peace, hope, comfort, joy, rest, etc., that can only come from Him alone.The words "Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear.All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!"
Oh, how often we let our minds get caught up in so many worries and concerns of this world, things that we cannot control, change, or fix, which causes us to forfeit the peace that Christ died on the cross for us to have.
In light of everything going on in our world today, I would be lying if I said I have not struggled with questioning what God is doing in all of this and why everything is being cancelled and changed. My day to day schedule and plans are changing moment to moment, as I know all of yours are, too, which is far from being my preference or liking.
However, during this time, my hope and prayer is that those of you who are my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus would partner with me in this challenge of truly taking EVERYTHING to God in prayer. Take your worries, concerns, feelings, and thoughts. Take it ALL to the Lord and let Him help you process it all. May we not forfeit the privilege for which Christ died. Let us come together and pray for our world, pray for our country, pray for our city and community, pray for the government, pray for our friends and family, pray for each other, pray for the sick, pray for the lost and those who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus.
Instead of us allowing the media and the uncertainty of Coronavirus to spread fear and anxiety all over our world, let us allow the Lord to use us to spread His love, grace, hope, peace, and truth... His good news... all over our world, which starts with us being intentional with our people and those around us.
Our hope is not what this world has to offer; our hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ and our Lord who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let us come together, unified in prayer and pressing into the truth of Scripture and meditating on the character of our good, good Father.
Please take some time to reflect, pray, seek the Lord, and meditate on His Word.Here is some scripture I have been reflecting on:
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
-Amen.-