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Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
I think it was just last summer I did a sermon series on the story behind the penning of some of our most loved classic hymns.  Each hymn we looked out was born out of a deep experience that often-involved tragedy.  It is in the deep moments of life that we cry out to God and He meets us.  For me, one of the verses that I have clung to through the various and often very painful experiences of my life is “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  A simple phrase but so powerful and life-giving to know that Jesus is always with us.

The song that has resonated with me over the last few days is “Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus.”  Here is a link to a beautiful version of this wonderful hymn.  I will also post the lyrics at the end of this blog.

Louisa M. R. Stead was born in England in 1850. She came to the U.S. as a young woman. In 1875 Louisa married and moved to New York. The loving couple soon gave birth to a precious baby girl, Lily. When Lily was 4 years old, the family took a beach picnic on Long Island. While they were eating, Mr. Stead spotted a boy crying for help out in the ocean. Louisa’s husband rushed into the water to save him, but the struggling boy pulled Mr. Stead under the water with him. They both drowned. Louisa was left a widow. She and Lily were destitute. During this time of pain and desperate reliance on God for provision, Louisa penned the powerful words of this beautiful hymn.
Many years ago now, I wrote a “song.”  I don’t know what made me think I could be a songwriter, but several times words and music have come to me.  Today I’m thinking about one of those ditties:

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 
Safe in His arms, Kept from all harm.  
Wrapped up in the arms of Jesus 
Kept secure in His wonderful love.
We are safe in the arms of Jesus and
we can trust Him fully.
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.


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