| 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” |
We know the value of friendship.
We need someone who knows us, cares for us, and helps us when we are down.
In fact, the number one factor in growing older is having friends.
Joseph Scriven knew the power of a friend.
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth–he was provided wealth and education. He grew up with loving parents in a comfortable life in Ireland.
Then, tragedy entered his life.
On the night before he was to be wed, his fiancé drowned.
He dropped into the deep night of grief.
He found the only relief in his life was from his faith. In a sense he developed a deep friendship with Jesus.
It changed his direction in life.
He set off for Canada. His goal was to help those in need of a friend, without pay. He would assist anyone who needed him.
Soon he became known as The Good Samaritan of Port Hope, the city in which he had settled.
But life was not finished wringing him out.
His mother became ill in Ireland.
He had written a verse that he hoped would remind her of the help Jesus could give all in distress.
But time moved on, and more trouble came to his life.
He too became ill.
A friend who came to see him and happened to see a scrap of paper on the floor. He picked it up and read it.
He asked, “who wrote these beautiful words?”
Scriven replied, “The Lord and I did it between us.”
What was on that paper? These are the words quite familiar to us. READ THE SONG
It is this song, loved by so many, and sung often that gives us a sense of Jesus’ presence and care.
Peter would counsel us: 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)–7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
In the worst of times, we always have a friend as Scriven has shown.
So today, remember you are never alone. You have a friend who is closer than a brother.
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 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.
–Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
