What a Friend we have in Jesus.

 What a Friend We Have in Jesus

A Reflection on the Hymn and Scripture

What a friend we have in Jesus—not a distant king,

But a brother, close and present, who receives our everything.

He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother,

The one who stands beside us like no other.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13)

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Not a burden left to carry, not a solitary care.

He invites us, weary-hearted, to come find in Him relief,

To trade our heavy sorrow for the balm of unbelief's relief.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—He is always, always there.

He knows our every weakness, He has walked the road we tread,

The man of sorrows, acquainted with the grief we've often said.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

He is our refuge, our strong tower, our answer to despair.

His arms are open wide to hold us, His shoulder bears our weight,

His heart is moved with compassion—never early, never late.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

What a friend! He never leaves us, never fails, never forsakes.

In the silence and the shouting, in the giving and the takes,

He remains the same tomorrow as He was in days of old—

The faithful Friend who bought us with a love that can't be told.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

So take heart, O weary traveler, you are known, you are His own.

You are loved beyond all measure, you are never, never alone.

What a friend we have in Jesus—let us take Him at His word.

Tell your story, bring your trembling to the Savior, Friend, and Lord.

Amen.