JESUS OUR FRIEND
I grew up on a farm in a multi-generational house, with my maternal grandparents, my parents and my sibling. My grandfather every night after supper would read the Bible and then sing a hymn. One of his favorite hymns was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Growing up this hymn reminded me of my grandfather whenever I heard it, however, the hymn hasheld more meaning once I became an adult.
In verse 2 of the hymn, it talks about trials, tribulations and trouble and that God knows our weakness. This verse resonated with me when my husband had his heart attach and we were told that he would need a quadruple bypass. Driving home from the hospital,l I was overwhelmed with fear to the point that I felt ill, however, while driving for some reason this hymn came into my head and as I recalled the second verse I diverted to my church. I sat at the back of the church and began to pray. I don’t recall what I prayed; but as I continued to pray a serenity came over me and as I left the church the fear was eased. That does not mean that I did not have concerns about what lay ahead for my husband and I, but I knew that God was with me and everything was in his loving hands.
The third verse is my favorite of the three verses because it reminds me that Jesus knows our weakness and he is our refuge. I know that Jesus is always with me. There have been times in my life when Jesus has been leading and directing my life; then there have also been times when he walks beside me as a good friend watching over me and waiting to listen to my needs. Finally, there are times when as a sinner I stumble and fall and He is there picking me up, taking me into his arms and reminding me that he is my shield and that he will never forsake me. We have no great friend in our lives than our loving Savior Jesus.
Often when we pray, we feel that he is not answering our prayers; perhaps it is not that he is not answering our prayers in the way that we want, but is a way that provides us with everything we need. Indeed, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.
Diana Grant
President, Toronto Zone
Serving in His Strength” is a blog
published by the Member Development Committee of
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, Inc.
Lutheranwomen.ca
2026