John 15: 13-14 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
The writer of this popular hymn, Joseph Scriven, was set to marry his fiancée in 1844 after completing his college education. As he was traveling to meet her on the day before the planned wedding, he came upon a horrible scene—his beautiful fiancée tragically lying under the water in a creek bed after falling off her horse.Later, Scriven relocated to Canada and eventually fell in love again. However, his fiancée died just weeks before their marriage. For the second time, this humble Christian felt the loss of the woman he loved. The following year, he wrote a poem to his mother in Ireland that described the deep friendship with Jesus he had cultivated in prayer through the hardships of his life.
The first publication of the poem had the title, “Pray Without Ceasing.” In 1868, attorney Charles Converse set the text to a tune and renamed it “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” This humble believer didn't curse God neither did he ask Him foolish questions. In pains and hardship, he discovered the friendship of God through prayer. The song is reflective of the depth of fellowship with God in prayers during the time of hardship.
God didn't promise us a life without challenges. In John 16:33: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT. Whatever you might be going through, I want you to see Jesus as a friend that can be trusted, a friend you can share with and lay your burdens on. He is not someone to fight or run from. Those challenges should make you launch into depths and dimensions of fellowship with God in the place of prayer. The reality of Christ friendship would dawn on you if you stay in fellowship in times of pains. Don't forget, trouble days don't last always.
Jesus, thank you for your friendship. This is what I'm going through right now( ...mention the case), heal my hurting heart and show me the way out of this trouble and confusion in Jesus name.