What a Friend

“Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends […] I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”—John 15:13, 15 NASB

Born in Ireland in 1819, Joseph Scriven faced a series of tragedies in life. He had fallen in love, but on the night before he was to be married, his fiancée drowned. Later, after moving to Canada, he fell in love again and became engaged. But his second fiancée also died before they were married.

These painful experiences could have made him bitter. But Scriven instead became devoted to serving others and sharing the love of Jesus. He gave freely of his possessions and always was ready to help those in need.

In 1855, when he learned his mother was ill, Scriven drafted a poem for her called, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” which later became a powerful hymn. Here, Scriven described what Jesus meant to him: Jesus was his friend. He took away “all [his] sins and griefs.” Drawing on his experiences, Joseph could write with conviction, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”

He knew God could bring peace to troubled hearts who seek Him: “Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” We don’t have to be discouraged when we face trials, temptations, or troubles. We simply should “take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Remember that Jesus is your friend. Take your problems to Him. Talk with Him. Spend time with Him. He loves you!

Reflection Question: In what ways is Jesus your friend?