Irishman and poet Joseph M. Scriven (1820-1866) came to know Christ as a result of the tragic death of his fiancee on the eve of their wedding.  With a B.A. from Trinity College of Dublin,  Scriven then emigrated to Canada, where he became a private tutor and, while boldly sharing the good news of salvation,  was involved in caring for the sick and needy members of his church. The poem that later became the hymn we know as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," was written to comfort his ailing mother when he could not return to Ireland to be at her side. Joseph Scriven had a life filled with hardship and pain, yet one that was marked by deep faith and contentment in his Savior and Friend.

What an awesome privilege we have as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus laid down His life for us, carries our burdens and has given us access to the Father. May He help us to always live as His friends, in light of what He has done, and to "carry everything to God in prayer."

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.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

-What a Friend We Have in Jesus -
   Words: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855
   Music: Charles Converse, 1868

The hymn, "Near to the Heart of God," was written in 1901 by a 23 year old grieving pastor. He sang it for the first time standing next to quarantine signs outside his brother's home where diphtheria had claimed the lives of his two nieces. Cleland B. McAfee later served on the faculty at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and directed the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, but is best remembered for writing this simple, yet profound message of hope and trust. Over a hundred years later, this great hymn still reminds us that no matter what we are facing in our lives today, we too can find this place of quiet rest, "Near to the Heart of God."


There is a place of quiet rest,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
  Near to the heart of God.

    O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
      Sent from the heart of God,
    Hold us, who wait before Thee,
        Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
  Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
  Near to the heart of God.

- Cleland B. McAfee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfZH07mWKKc

I'm sure you've heard the flippant response, "Stuff happens," many times. "Stuff" does happen. Such is the world in which we live.

Lots of “stuff” happened to Habakkuk. His very name means “to wrestle.” Habakkuk wrestled with many of the same questions we do today, wondering, “If God is so good, why does bad stuff happen?” The world says, "If your God was so good to you, your life wouldn't be so hard."

But my God IS good to me and all suffering (in my life and in yours) has a purpose. Contrary to the popular "feel good" messages thrown at us by some well known church leaders today, "stuff happens" to us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as well.  We were never promised an easy road through this life. Jesus suffered many things for us, so what makes us think we shouldn't suffer any hardship? In fact, the Bible says suffering is a necessary part of the Christian life. Philippians 1:29 says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.." (See also Rom 8:17, 1 Cor 10:13, 2 Cor 1:6).

God isn't sitting up there on His throne thinking, "Hmm.. what can I do to upset Ann-Louise today? What else can I throw in Ann-Louise's path to trip her up?" Whatever I go through in this life, whatever you go through, it all has a purpose and is designed and/or allowed by a loving God for a specific purpose – for me.

We have quoted it many times and shared it with others many times, but have we fully appreciated and grasped the meaning of Romans 8:28?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

What does that verse mean, exactly? Does it mean God has promised to make things easy all the time? Does it mean we’ll have what WE think is good and best for us? Does it really mean that every cloud has a silver lining?

Working things together for good doesn’t necessarily mean making them better in our way of thinking. Sometimes, God uses our suffering itself for our good. For example, if we never suffered, how would we learn to trust? If we never had to wait for an answer how would we learn patience? If we never knew turmoil, how would we know peace? If we never suffered rejection, how would we know true love and acceptance?

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus has experienced the same things we have and felt the same things we have. He knew what it was to be lonely. He knew hardship and rejection. He knew pain and suffering. How did Jesus respond to difficulties? Did He become angry with God or depressed and feeling sorry for Himself? No, Jesus experienced all that we do, yet without sin. That means He never once wavered in His trust in the Father and never once felt sorry for Himself. Why? Because He knew God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. You and I know that God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. He has made many promises to us. He has promised to never leave us, to supply all our needs and to always love us. Check out some of the wonderful promises He has made to you in His Word.

In the midst of a trial, a loss or hardship, we can’t always see God’s purposes at work. We are so blindsided by what has happened to us, we don’t try to look up and over the obstacle to see God and what He is doing. Habakkuk couldn’t see God at work either. God gave Habakkuk a seemingly simple answer, yet one that has confounded generations ever since. God declares, “..but the just shall live by his faith.”  Even when we can’t see God at work on our behalf, we must respond as God requires – by faith.

At the end of Habakkuk, the prophet finally began to see there was a larger plan at work, brought about by a loving and righteous God who would make things right in His way and His time. He realized the life changing truth that, despite circumstances, faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith. It was then that he was able to declare from this heart filled with faith..

 
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
 neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
(Hab. 3:17-18)


To paraphrase, we might say,

“Even if stuff happens,
Even if things get really bad,
Even if the bills are piling up,
Even if my health deteriorates,
Even if.. (you fill in the blank)..

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

 
“Stuff happens” and most of us are facing some difficulty in our lives. Let’s choose to go forward in faith, rejoice together and joy in the God of our salvation.

Remember: “Stuff happens,” but faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith.