All Who Are Weary and Heavy-Laden
Dear Friends,
As a young child, I attended a small Orthodox Presbyterian Church where I learned the words of old hymns, not realizing how they would one day bring me comfort in dark nights of the soul. One stands out:
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Joseph Sciven, cir. 1885
In this week’s Daily Treasure, guest writer Lauri Hogle brings to life the power of such songs to comfort and encourage us when life takes unexpected turns. As a young mother, Lauri struggled with an undiagnosed, debilitating illness. Lauri had to learn how to parent three little ones while struggling to face each minute of every day with pain and extreme physical limitations. The Lord used music, children’s songs, to keep her heart focused on Him.
How do you trust the Lord when relentless pain and unexplained symptoms plague every minute of your life? In this week’s devotionals, Lauri shares specific ways God has used the music of Scripture to turn her heart toward Jesus and remind her of His presence when every part of her body longs for relief. Lauri has a special compassion for those whose chronic illness is hidden because there are no obvious scars, bandages, or broken bones, even though the pain and discomfort are relentless with no end in sight. How do you find rest for your soul in such a place?
What about the temptation to blame your illness on personal sin? How do you handle guilt when you feel useless because of your physical limitations? And what about loneliness, feeling forgotten or invisible? Who cares?
On Wednesday, Laura showcases the old hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and shows us how the words are rich in biblical truth, designed to offer extreme comfort from our Heavenly Father when no one else can. She writes in part:
In my 35 years of invisible chronic illness and pain, with hundreds of unhelpful doctors and treatments, my tearfully hidden pleas for others to care or notice simply had to be brought to Jesus, my Friend, my Refuge.
Precious Savior,
Our pain is intense today. Invisible to others. Not to You.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
–take it to the Lord in prayer!
What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Scriven, J. M., 1855
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 ESV
What a Friend we have in Jesus when we think we’re alone and unloved.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 ESV
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 ESV
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psalm 119:14 ESV
Friends, whether you suffer from chronic illness or not, Lauri’s daily messages will strike a chord with you as she unpacks numerous hymns and scriptures to give us hope, no matter where God has placed us.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
P.S. Lauri’s Bible study prayer books, including Near to God,Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering,Singing the Gospel to Job,and a children’s book, In the Valleys of God’s Love,are complemented by weekly playlist gifts for suffering Christian women. Learn more at:singchristhope.org.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
