ON YOU, LORD, I AM LEANING!

ON YOU, LORD, I AM LEANING!

 

As I write you this blog, I am thinking of those out there who regularly follow my writing, I have not forgotten all my precious friends out there. Most of you I will never meet face to face until that day when we meet around the throne on that glorious day when our Lord calls all home. And what a grand day that will be, finally home!  “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” Revelation 22:20.

 

It has been a long journey, three surgeries since the 1^st of this year. The latest one week ago. When one arm is bound up, one learns to lean on the only One who can truly support me in dark hours.   Oh, I have my husband and others who support me. In fact I have been surrounded by them. What would we do without our precious brothers and sisters in the Lord.  And I am thinking of the wonderful doctors, nurses and caregivers in the hospital, who gave such wonderful care.

 

I had a tape recording once where a group sang this particular song,“ I Lean on You Lord” and I have not heard it since that tape has long disappeared with all the other tapes when switching to CD’s and CD players.  But at the time I had the tape, I was also going through some struggles and changes in my life. But the Lord does bring these songs back to me, and many times they just come as “songs in the night.”  I then go to my computer and look them up to see if they are available there.  I pray that the words will speak to your heart as it does mine.  I know many of you are going through great trials and times of just not knowing what to do about situations.  But in those times we can know Who we can lean on as we travel this road with Jesus.

 

I LEAN ON YOU LORD

 

CHORUS:  I lean on You Lord, I lean on You, Lord. For the things I need, I lean on You. When I don’t know just what to do, I got the faith you’re gonna see right on through; You’ll supply my every need, I lean on You.

 

I’ve been on the mountain when the sun was shinin’ bright. And I’ve been in the valley when the clouds were black as night. I’ve been betrayed like Jesus, by a friend who wasn’t true; but in the good times or the bad times, Lord, I’ve learned to lean on You.

 

You know I’ve heard the battle raging, and then I prayed ‘til victory came. There have been times I really thought, “God, You don’t even know my name, but, I’ve been blessed and I’ve been down where I didn’t know what to do; but in the times of joy or sorrow, Lord, I’ve learned to lean on You.

 

That’s why I’m “Leaning, Leaning, safe and secure from all alarms, leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” Oh, I’m leaning, leaning’ cause in the good times or the bad times, Lord, I’ve learned to lean on You.  (Carroll McGruder)

 

When the well is dry, it is time to go back to God’s Word and prayer.  When in situations where I just don’t know what to do, I lean on Him.  When the doctor advises further surgery and we didn’t know what to do, we went to the Lord and He gave us peace to walk that valley once again.  How about you?  Are you in a similar situation with decisions to make, go back to the Lord to experience that special peace and direction He will give.

 

And we’ve all been on the mountain top, walking in the glory of His presence.  Things are going well, people are being ministered to, and life is good walking with Jesus, but then the “valley times” come.  Life was going well last January.  I had finished a round of cancer some months earlier and had a clean bill of health, and was ready to do anything for Jesus, and there walking through a large store, I went down, and for months I felt like I was in the darkest valley, but then a bit of time back on the mountain top, the sun was beginning to shine again, then another crisis and decision to be made.  But I have learned to lean on Him.  In the good times we lean, and in the bad times we lean.

 

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27.

 

Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we fall, when sorrow comes, when we have great needs in our lives, whatever that may be, God’s Word promises that underneath us are His precious arms.

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

 

I'M HIDING IN THEE

I’M HIDING IN THEE

 

Today, as I write to you, I am rejoicing in God, my Savior.  It is a lovely early fall day, lovely clouds dot the sky.  And if I didn’t depend on my Lord Jesus Christ to get me through these difficult days, I don’t think I could hang on. 

 

And I know there are many of you out there who are feeling the same.  Life is hard, the world seems to be getting darker and darker.  I see so many right now who are going through difficult trials.  And I am rejoicing, as I said, because we have Someone to run to, Someone to cling to on these days of trials.

 

And we have a place to hide when the storms are raging, when the waves are roaring around us.  We have a place to hide when the tears of grief blind our eyes in the lonely night hours.  I prayed with such a friend a few days ago, whose husband had suddenly passed away after many years of marriage.  I haven’t walked that path, but I could hold her in my arms and let Jesus comfort her.  Where do we hide?  We hide in Him, our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  This old hymn was written in a time of grief, and the author knew the only place he could run to was to the Rock, Christ Jesus.

 

“Pastor William Cushing was only forty-seven when his wife died.  Then his health began to fail, and paralysis affected his vocal chords.  He had to resign his pastorate, and he wondered what he could do.

 

About that time he received a letter from Ira Sankey, the song leader for Evangelist Dwight L. Moody. The letter asked, “Send me something new to help me in my gospel work.”  Cushing knew what was wanted. Sankey was looking for a new gospel song that could be sung at Moody’s revival meetings.  He prayed that whatever he wrote would be something that would glorify God.

 

Cushing recalled, “It was while waiting upon the Lord that ‘Hiding in Thee’ pressed to make itself known.” The song had come from his heart.  As he said, “It was the outgrowth of many ears, many heart conflicts and yearnings of which the world could know nothing.” (From “Hymns” by Petersen).

 

HIDING IN THEE

 

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I.  My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly; so sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine would I be; Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

 

Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee, thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

 

In the calm of the noon-tide, in sorrow’s lone hour, in times when temptation casts o’er me its pow’r; in the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea, Thou blest “Rock of Ages” I’m hiding in Thee.

 

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe; how often when trials like sea billows roll, have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.”  (William O Cushing, 1823-1902)

 

In this season of my life, when my strength is almost gone and I think about the days past when I had so much energy and was out in God’s field in ministry and now I know that He has put me aside for His own purposes.  And I am reminded that His work can go on, here at my computer  and in the newsletters I write and then that precious moment when I was able to minister to my grieving friend in the aisle of a thrift shop.  God use us no matter what “season” we are in.  And someday, in God’s time, these particular trials will only be a memory and I will be able to look back and see where I have been and  see His footprints all the way. 

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” Psalm 46:1-3.

 

No, we don’t have to fear if the earth shakes and mountains tremble around us, and the seas of troubles roar.  And I noticed the word “present” in that verse.  He is present right now to meet whatever need you have.  He hears our faintest cry and sees those tears.  Sometimes I get so discouraged, but I know who sees my tears even in the dark hours or when no one else even knows my pain.  I am hiding in Him, I am running to my “God of all Comforts.”

 

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance” Psalm 32:7.

 

In those times when we run to our ‘Hiding Place” he will sometimes drop a song into our hearts.  I have had that happen many times and in difficult situations.  And it is like He is singing around me, bringing me comfort.  There is a wonderful verse in the Old Testament which promises that He will do just that:

 

The Lord Thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” Zephaniah 3:17.

 

Are you hiding in Him today?  Can you rejoice that even now your Lord and Savior, your Precious Shepherd sings a song over you?  And He rejoices over you with joy because you belong to Him?  There in that Hiding Place He wraps His love around you even though you may be in the midst of a storm and your world is being shaken.  He brings His peace in the midst of that storm.  Just like that day on the Sea of Galilee when the disciples were afraid for their very lives and Jesus just spoke to the wind and waves, “Peace, Be Still.”  And there was a great calm. (Mark 4:35-39).

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon Besler

 

 

 

I'M SAVED BY GRACE

I’M SAVED BY HIS GRACE

 

It is a Saturday afternoon, the end of another week.  It was another week of pain and difficult nights in particular.  But the Lord has so much to teach me.  And when I have no one else to turn to, I can always turn to Him in those difficult moments.  Some moments bring the tears, but He promises to collect all my tears in His bottle. (Psalms 56:8).  My heart is so full of so many things that as I write here, I am not at all sure how the Lord will use what is on my heart to encourage you on this afternoon.  

 

I know that many of you are going through difficult trials.  And sometimes when I meet someone who is in great pain, my pain does not seem so significant.  I meet many people who are having great trials, and I wonder how people can go through these things without the Lord.  In some ways, I am truly blessed.  Yes, I have my pain and as I am getting older, it seems to increase.  But I can still go on my way rejoicing in my God and trying to bring comfort to others who may need just a touch and a prayer.

 

I had such a moment yesterday, Friday.  I have mentioned in my previous blogs about a sister in the Lord who is confined in a nursing home.   Her name is Jean. She has been near death’s door for quite some time and is under “comfort care.” She can no longer move or speak.  This precious lady was a singer and loved to praise the Lord with hymns and she blessed many people, especially in later years from her electric scooter.  That is how we met her as she lived near our church and rolled herself there to bless her with her beautiful voice.  As I was there yesterday I read her some scripture and then I sing to her and she opens her eyes.  I am not sure if she can even see me anymore.  But she listened  as I sang “Amazing Grace” and a song by Fannie Crosby, “And I shall See Him Face to Face.” And as I kissed her goodbye and started to leave, her eyes tried to follow me.  I usually leave with tears in my eyes as there is such a presence of the Holy Spirit.  She has leaned on the Lord for many years.  I don’t understand God’s ways and He will take her home in due time and what a welcome she will receive.  She will be free from pain, strokes and the like and I am reminded of a Gaither Song, “When All God’s Singers Get Home.”

 

I had another song in mind for this blog, but I feel as if I will share this song by Fannie Crosby.  I may have used it in a past blog.  There are so many out there who are facing that day.  You may be in such a situation right now. The title of the Song is “Saved by Grace.”  I shared with my husband after leaving the nursing home that someday, when we are all together in God’s beautiful heaven, Jean will share with me that she remembered me singing to her when she was confined in her disabled body, and what a time of rejoicing that will be.

 

SAVED BY GRACE

 

Some day the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing; but O, the joy when I shall wake within the palace of the King!

 

And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story – saved by grace; and I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story – saved by grace.

 

Some day my earthly house will fall, I cannot tell how soon ‘twill’ be, but this I know – my All in All has now a place in Heav’n for me.

 

Some day, when fades the golden sun beneath the rosy-tinted west, my blessed Lord will say, “Well done!” and I shall enter into rest.

 

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait, my lamp all trimmed and burning bright, that when my Savior opens the gate, my soul to Him may take its flight. (Fanny Crosby).

 

Yes, someday that silver cord will indeed break.  It will come sooner for some and longer for others.  And I will no longer sing at bedsides, but will sing, along with my precious friend, Jean in the heavenly choir, in the glorious palace of our King Jesus!

 

And what a day that will be when we see Him face to face.  And amazing about this song is that Fanny Crosby was blind, but by faith she knew she was going to see Him face to face!

 

Yes, I am getting older, as many of us are.  And we face times of pain when are bodies can no longer do the things we used to do.  Sometimes it takes some assistance to move around and some help in our care.  I remember the days when life was so free and I could do so many things.  But someday, unless Jesus comes in the clouds first, this old body will fail, and He is preparing a mansion for me and for all His children as He promised in John 14:1-3.

 

And someday, beyond the sunset, as my sun sets in the west, I am looking for that day when He will say to me and to all those who have served Him and belong to Him, “Enter into My rest, well done!”

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

CHRIST IS RETURNING, ARE YOU READY?

CHRIST IS RETURNING

ARE YOU READY?

In my quiet office and our peaceful area, I am remembering our trip to the east coast last month.  We had a great time with family and being tourists.  But I was impressed with the amount of people everywhere.  Here in our city we do have traffic and lines in stores, but nothing quite like being in some of the areas back there.  In one location at a theme park, thousands of people packed the huge gift shop, and people waited in lines outside.  And talk about traffic!  Sometimes we waited and waited for traffic to move.  And in that theme park it was literally wall to wall people.

And I watch people and wonder about what is going on in their lives.  And in the masses of people I wondered how many loved the Lord and if the Lord returned at that moment how many would meet Him in the air.  How many are ready to die?  We never know what the next day or even the next hour will hold.  And I ask you, out there, are you ready?  And in those kinds of moments I wanted to shout to the masses, “Jesus is coming, put aside the trappings and love of the world and get your heart ready, look to the cross, He died for all of you.”  I want to tell them that there are only two roads to travel in this life, the narrow road that leads to salvation and the broad way that leads to destruction.

Christ is coming soon, just look around you at the world as it falls apart.  Look around you at the lives that are in sin, deep sin.  The world is in darkness and need the “Light” of the Lord Jesus to shine.  And that day will come soon and when we do not expect it.  He will come as a “Thief in the Night.”  Don’t be caught unaware.

CHRIST RETURNETH

“It may be at morn, when the day is awakening, when sunlight thro’ darkness and shadow is breaking, that Jesus will come in the fullness of glory to receive from the world “His own.”

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long ere we shout the glad song, Christ returneth! Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! Amen.

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, it may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, when Jesus receives “His own.”

Oh, joy! Oh, delight! Should we go without dying, no sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying, caught up thro’ the clouds with our Lord into glory, when Jesus receives “His own.” (James McGranahan).

The history of this old hymn is not known, only that it was written in the early 19^th century.  But it has been the cry of every generation and each person hoped and prayed that they were the ones who would be caught up to meet Jesus, the generation of believers who would not see death.  I, myself, remember as a small child being taught that Jesus could come any moment and we were to be ready at all times.  But the years have moved on, and believers still wonder if we are living in that day.  I ask myself, as I grow older, and feel the years, “How long Jesus, when are you coming back?”

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” Matthew 24:36.

Many over the years and even in recent times have tried to predict when Jesus is coming, but only He knows.  It may be at dawn when the light is just breaking over the eastern sky.  It may be at noon, lunch time.  You may be in your office grabbing a quick lunch.  It may be at the end of the day, twilight, when all is calm.  It may be at midnight, when all of a sudden the sky will light up in the “blaze of His glory”, when He comes with His saints and His angels, and the trumpet sounds. But are you ready?

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord” I Thessalonians 4:16-17.

And He is coming for “His Own.”  He is coming for me and for you who love and serve Him, who have accepted Him as your own personal Savior.  We will hear that trumpet call, because His sheep hear His voice, John 10:3-4. He is coming for His Church, His own sheep who have served Him faithfully and have been waiting for His return.  And the cry of our hearts is found in Revelation 22:20: “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

But as we look around our world, even in our churches, the hour is calling, don’t wait, judgment is coming.  What kind of people are we to be when we see these things happening in our world?  I am very burdened for who are going on with their lives unprepared for the judgment that is coming.  And I am calling you to make yourself ready, He could come this next hour, this next day or tonight.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:10-12.

And to think that we could be that generation of believers who would go without dying is such a precious promise.  There will be no more sickness, pain or sorrow.  And we would never grow old.  Can you imagine being caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus there?  I think about it often, especially on a cloudy day.  And I think about it when flying above in those clouds and looking down on cities below.

So, my friends, Jesus is returning and very soon.  I call to you to be ready, to meet Jesus.  Ask Him into your heart now, He is waiting, waiting for you.  He desires to call you “His own.”  Won’t you make that decision today?  That is the most important decision to make for all of eternity.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

I FEEL LIKE TRAVELING ONWARD

I FEEL LIKE TRAVELING ONWARD

We have been on long journey back to see our children in the east, and what a journey it was.  We visited, laughed together, and visited many places and met new people, and even met a new great grandson.  But I am reflecting back on that journey and my experiences watching people, sitting in long lines, making it to the next gate to catch a connecting flight.

I saw a world that needs Jesus, people in great darkness, and it grieves my heart.  My life is so secluded from that world that the Lord has to remind me that there is another world out there.  It is a pleasure seeking world, a world who does not know or care that there is a God who loves them, and He sent His Son to die for them and that the Lord is reaching out His arms to a lost world!  It is a world on the verge of judgment, for the Lord will soon return.

I know many of you travel with the airlines, and picture sitting in a plane on the runway for five hours, as communication problems grounded the plane and then a thunderstorm sat overhead with pouring rain.  And I was reminded that “I feel like Traveling on.”  I felt like traveling on physically and spiritually.  I longed for my earthly home again, and even more so, my heavenly home.  And the Lord brought to my mind this old song written in 1838.  And I am sure that this gentleman was not stuck in a plane on a runway, but he may have had circumstances in his life that made him long for heaven no matter what was in his life. Those times were certainly different from the times we live in but our ancestors had their own set of trials and struggles.  Read the words of this song and reflect on your heavenly home, just over the next hill, or around the next bend.

I FEEL LIKE TRAVELING ON

My heav’nly home is bright and fair,

I feel like traveling on;

Nor pain nor death can enter there,

I feel like traveling on.

REFRAIN:

Yes, I feel like traveling on;

I feel like traveling on;

My heav’nly home is bright and fair,

I feel like traveling on.

Its glitt’ring tow’rs the sun outshine,

I feel like traveling on;

That heav’nly mansion shall be mine,

I feel like traveling on.

Let other seek a home below,

I feel like traveling on;

Which flames devour, or waves o’erflow,

I feel like traveling on.

The Lord has been so good to me,

I feel like traveling on;

Until that blessed home I see,

I feel like traveling on.

(William Hunter)

Sitting in that plane reminded me of my walked with the Lord.  And I wonder why things are not moving in my life, I am at a stand still, it seems, and my communication with Him seems lost.  But there He is working out difficult situations in my life, and in His time, I can travel on again, down the path He has prepared for me, for He knows what is ahead.

And many times storm are raging overhead and the rains and winds come stopping me on my path, and I can’t see what is ahead, but my Tender Shepherd has traveled those paths and knows the dangers ahead and I have to just wait patiently until the rain stops, the clouds part and the sun shines again.  It was beautiful looking out the plane window and to see the clouds part and the sun shine again and we were on our way home.

We toured a beautiful mansion with many rooms and acres of lovely gardens.  During its time there were servants, butlers, maids and luxury.  But now it is a tourist attraction, its residents and all their riches are gone.  It was grand indeed with its nine stories and grand halls.  But it cannot compare to the mansions our Lord has gone to prepare for each one of us who love Him.  Our minds cannot comprehend the beauty and the glory of our heavenly home. 

These big mansions will indeed burn someday, but we have a mansion forever. Oh, Praise the Lord!  We toured the museum and viewed the treasures that were left behind.  Those things were once of great value to the residents, but I realized they did not take anything with them.

Most of us do not live in such mansions here on earth, and my earthly home would probably fit in one corner of one floor!  But I think of my heavenly home, where no death can enter or no more pain, and I am filled with joy and anticipation.  I think of one of our dear sisters in the Lord, who recently entered her heavenly home, and what a welcome she received!

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14:1-3.

On my journey east there were many sights and experiences I could share and their comparisons to our walk with the Lord.  I do pray that you are traveling that road with Jesus, and that your eyes are ever looking heavenward, looking for the day when Christ returns or He calls you home.  “What a Day that Will Be When My Jesus I Shall See.” 

So travel on, my friends and keep your eyes on the goal, heaven is just ahead.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

TAKE HIS PRECIOUS NAME WITH YOU!

TAKE HIS PRECIOUS NAME

WITH YOU!

As I am sitting here today, my heart is so heavy.  It has been such a trying week.  We have seen our precious loved one go from straight and tall to almost completely bedridden with pain and disease.  As I sit by her bedside, my heart is grieved.  I remember the days together and the joy we shared.  And I don’t ask “why?”  I know that my God is in control and He brings peace in the midst of our stormy times and He is aware of my tears.

I know that many of you out there are in similar situations with loved ones right now.  I can imagine you sitting at bedsides as we have done this week, wishing and praying for relief from their pain and not knowing what the future holds for that loved one.

As I was praying and wondering what to share with you today, a lovely song came to me.  It is a lovely song in praise to our Precious Jesus and His Wonderful Name.  Oh, what peace to sit before Him and just speak the name “Jesus.”  He calls us to take His name wherever we go and in whatever situation we find ourselves in, and just to slowly and prayerfully whisper how very precious is that name, the name of Jesus!  So take His name into every hospital room, every bedside, everywhere there is pain and suffering and times of grief.  This is a precious hymn written by a lady of great faith in great times of sickness.  Be blessed as you read the story of this hymn: “Take the Name of Jesus with You.”

“Although Lydia Baxter was a bedridden invalid for much of her life, people who were depressed came to visit her in order to have their spirits lifted.  Christian leaders often met in her home for prayer and Bible study.

Lydia loved to study the Bible and had a special joy in learning the meaning of scriptural names.  But the Name above all names to her was Jesus.

When she was asked how she could remain so cheerful, she responded, “I have a very special armor.  I have the name of Jesus.  When the tempter tries to make me blue or despondent, I mention the name of Jesus, and he can’t get through to me anymore.  When I feel badly and wonder if I will ever enjoy a good night’s sleep again, I take the name of Jesus and ask Him to give me the soothing balm of His presence.  He does, and soon I drop off to sleep.”

When Lydia was sixty-one years old, she wrote this testimony of her life: “Take the Name of Jesus with You.”

TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS WITH YOU

Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe; it will joy and comfort give you, take it, then, where’er you go.

Precious Name, O how sweet!  Hope of earth and joy of Heavn’n, Precious name, O how sweet!...hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

Take the name of Jesus ever, as a shield from ev’ry snare; if temptations round you gather, breathe that holy name in prayer.

O the precious name of Jesus!  How it thrills our souls with joy, when His loving arms receive us, and His songs our tongues employ!

At the name of Jesus bowing, falling prostrate at His feet, King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him, when our journey is complete.  (Lydia Baxter 1809-1874)

If you have felt, as I have, this past week like a “child of sorrow and woe”, take that Name, that Precious Name into worship, into your private time, let Him comfort you and then you can take it out into your world with His joy and comfort.

And if temptations come, temptations to doubt His loving care, to feel like He really doesn’t care, just breathe that Name in prayer, “Jesus”.

And someday, we will bow at His feet, seeing Him face to face at last.  When at last our journey is over and we cross that swelling tide, the Name of Jesus will be on our lips, and we will join the heavenly choir, ever thankful for the Name of Jesus and that He was there in all the struggles we had on this earth, and now we will be with Him for eternity and breathe His Name forever in His Presence.

“So today I bring all those who are grieving for precious loved ones or friends, sitting there by bedsides and sometimes the tears are flowing, to wrap your loving arms around them, let them feel Your Presence as they breathe Your holy Name in prayer, “Jesus.”  Thank you, Jesus, for being our Comforter and for the Power of Your Precious Name!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen”

Pastor Sharon

SAFE IN HIS ARMS

SAFE IN HIS ARMS

As I am writing this it is the morning of July 4, Independence Day, as we remember the blessings of freedom here in this land of America.  And I ask myself what am I feeling today?  What does the Lord want me to share with you that would bless and encourage you this day?  Many, today, in spite of picnics, fireworks and celebrations are deep in pain and discouragement.  The battle rages around them, and there is seemingly no answer.

 I myself, feel that I am in a battle right now with a physical problem which is taking my nights at times.  But those times during those hours often turn into times of praise and worship to my Precious Lord, and often He will bring to my mind reminders of those who need a touch from Him at that very moment.  There are those who are in grief over a lost loved one, one who left this life too soon.  She loved the Lord and we know that she is “safe in His arms.”  Another precious saint is taking her last breaths at this moment, and I expect a call soon that she too is “safe in His arms.”

Fanny Crosby wrote around 8,000 hymns, and many are familiar to us and we sing them in praise to our God.  “There are few people who have not been instantly moved, many to tears, by the tender, graceful stanzas of “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”  I think it would be impossible to express in better words than Fanny Crosby’s the rest of the soul that trusts in Jesus.  Mother live is exquisitely gentle, but is stronger than death.  Sound doctrine is undoubtedly a rampart and a refuge for the harassed soul.  But a soul needs mothering as well as safety, not only the babes, but those of riper years.  This is well expressed by Isaiah 46:4: “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

“The hymn was written in remarkable circumstances.  Dr. W.H. Doane, a distinguished composer of sacred music, called on the blind poetess one day, and said, “I am in a hurry.  I have a tune to which I want appropriate words.”  He went to the piano and played the music.  Several times he played it, while Fanny Crosby listened intently.  She retired to another room, and in about half an hour came back with the now well-known words, and said “they seemed to come to me without any effort.”  It only required Mr. Sankey to sing the lovely words at his meetings, and they went round the world to comfort and save unnumbered souls, and their mission is not yet finished.” (author unknown).

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, there by His love o’er shaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.  Hark!  ‘Tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me, over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

CHORUS:  Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, there by His love o’er-shaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care, safe from the world’s temptations sin cannot harm me there.   Free from the blight of sorrow, free from its doubts and fears, only a few more trials, only a few more tears.

CHORUS –

Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge, Jesus has died for me, firm on the rock of ages ever my trust shall be.  Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is o’er, wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.  (Fanny Crosby).

Oh, my friends, in this hour we need to be reminded of God’s comfort and our blessed hope in Jesus.  I am thinking of the young lady who recently went home to Jesus, and this song was such a comfort to her mother, knowing that her daughter was indeed “safe at last in the arms of Jesus.”  She had just recently come to know Jesus as her Savior, and had traveled a hard road in her life.  But in the end, due to her Mother’s fervent prayers, she found her safety in Jesus.  What a testimony her passing was to all who came to share with her mother and hear the amazing testimony of God’s salvation.

Where are you today, my friend?  Are you “safe in the arms of Jesus?”  We never know what a day will hold, eternity could call and would you be ready?  And oh, the comfort of His arms!  And the absolute assurance that He has prepared a place, a home in His heaven, and we can’t even begin to describe the glory that awaits each one of His children.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27.

Not only are we safe in His arms at death, but we are safe from all those temptations that come, and we are safe in those trials and even the ones that seemingly come in the night hours.  He is there.  He is there in our deep times of grief, our doubts and our fears.  And as the song promises, “only a few more trials, only a few more tears” and our journey will be complete.  We, in our senior years, especially see the road ahead getting shorter, and there seems to be a glow ahead over the hills beyond.  Yes, we have our struggles, but we journey on with the goal in sight just ahead.

“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love” I Corinthians 2:9.

So stand firm on the Rock, Christ Jesus.  And He tells us to wait with patience until this night is over and we see that day come at last.  And we all will be gathered there on that shore, Oh  Praise the Lord!  I said my goodbyes to my precious friend the other day, and told her I would meet her around the throne, and know that that day will come soon in all its glory. 

“He who testifies to things things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen.  Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen. “ Revelation 22:20

Pastor Sharon