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What a Friend We Have in Jesus

One night, when I was little, my dad was tucking me in and sat down gently next to my bed. I sprang up and exclaimed, “Dad! Don’t sit on Jesus! He’s spending the night!”

That pretty much sums up the way I know Jesus. 

He is, yes, the Author and Creator of all life. He has unlimited power and is to be feared, respected, and obeyed. But He loves me, cries with me, rejoices with me, is interested in me, wants the very best for me, and He is my friend.

I’ve found friendship with Jesus in all kinds of places. In school when I was left out of the friend group I so desperately wanted to be a part of. When I moved away from home, went to college, and had to make it on my own. When my parents divorced and I felt like my childhood was a total lie. When my friend tragically passed away and I didn't get to say goodbye. When unemployment left me wondering how to pay the bills. I could keep listing. Jesus didn’t stop these situations from happening, but He sure is with me.

In 1 Peter 5:7 NLT, we are told, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." In the hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, we’re reminded to take our troubles to the Lord in prayer. If, like me, you've experienced something so difficult you have nothing but Jesus to lean on, you know this hymn only scratches the surface of His comforting love. No matter how eloquent the words, they pale in comparison to the sense that He’s with you, and that with Him, everything will be okay.

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.

If you haven’t experienced Jesus this way, take the time to meditate on the words of this hymn and today’s Scriptures. It may take a few tries, but get to a quiet place—somewhere you enjoy. Close your eyes, tell Jesus about what’s going on, ask Him to reveal Himself, and let these words become your reality.

—Lori

Pray: Jesus, here I am. Show me your friendship.