‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Recently in worship I glanced a mature couple enthusiastically singing, “’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.” They were singing this old faithful hymn as though it had meaning to them.

Then I noticed they were both seated, seated in wheelchairs. Yet, singing.

Any question they might have had regarding their plight seemed to be overcome. How? They might have whined, “Why me, Lord?”

Further verses explained their enthusiasm for the hymn.

“I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.”    

The operative word is “learned.” It had doubtlessly been a long and hard lesson, but it appeared they had earned their PhD.

They had taken Jesus at His word. They believed He was as good as His word, and His word as good as He.

They were the beneficiary of His precious promises. They responded to His promises as to facts.

It was apparent they did know, “Thus saith the Lord.” That required having studied to show themselves workmen approved to the Lord. Behind their musical voices was a treasure resulting from their knowledge, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart.”

With His word in the repository of their knowledge and the experiences of life as a lab in which they were tested they could sing. 

Louisa Stead, wrote “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” Her spouse perished in the Hudson River in 1880. It helped counter her natural grief. Most scholars agree that she penned this song in response to the calm she experienced as a result of faith in Jesus despite her sadness.

Stead went on to work as a missionary in Africa for many years after that, ever comforted by the words. 

Introspection is appropriate at this point. We can learn a thing experientially or academically. The question is are we willing to learn the lesson of consolation, peace, and comfort academically for these without having to go through the sorrow as they?

Let these words ruminate in your heart and be carved in the corridors of your mind, reserved for a needful day.

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!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6)