What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Joseph Scriven faced real tragedies. Born in Ireland on this day in 1819, as a young man he fell in love. But, tragically, on the night before he was to be married, his fiancée drowned.

Later, after moving to Canada, Scriven fell in love again and became engaged. But his second fiancée also died before they were married.

We can imagine how these painful experiences might 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 who were in need.

In 1855, when he learned that his mother was ill, Scriven wrote a poem for her called, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” This later became a powerful hymn, where Scriven described what Jesus meant to him: “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!”

Because of the difficult experiences he had faced, he could write with conviction, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” He knew that God could bring peace to troubled hearts who seek Him: “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

Instead of becoming discouraged when we face trials, temptations, or troubles, Scriven wrote that we simply should “take it to the Lord in prayer.”

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