Finding Strength in Faith: The Inspiring Story Behind "What a Friend We Have in Jesus

In this episode, we reflect on the resilience and compassion that defined Scriven's life. His story is a testament to the power of faith amidst trials, showing how music and belief can uplift even the most broken spirits. Listen as we explore how Joseph's experiences shaped the verses of his famous hymn, urging us all to carry our burdens to God in prayer. Let Joseph's tale encourage you to find peace and purpose through serving others, illustrating the enduring friendship with Jesus that sustains us through life's challenges.

References for the show
Hymnary.org
101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck (1982)

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:05

Welcome to Faithfully Living, the Podcast where we learn how to live for Christ in our daily lives. I am Dwan, your host, and I would like to invite you on a journey with me to explore and learn how to be a faithful follower of Christ, of Christ. Hi everyone, welcome to Faithfully Living, the podcast where we strive to encourage you to live for Christ faithfully. We're offering guidance on how to study the Bible, how to understand the Bible better and how to remain faithful to historic Christianity. You know, I think that we can all attest that living a life faithfully for God has its ups and downs, and there are certain things that God has created, apart from his word, that can give us encouragement as we live each day. And I'm not saying that we need additional things to God's word, but I'm saying that God, in his goodness, has shown himself to us in our everyday lives, from things like creation, the sunrise, the sunset you know it takes a breath away. Or how about looking at a clear blue sky? Or you know how about that song on the radio that gives you encouragement. You know God can use certain things and I just want to reference this by saying that things are not contrary to his nature to inspire and encourage us. So for the last couple of episodes we have been learning and exploring the story behind certain songs and hymns. Exploring the story behind certain songs and hymns. We have seen that certain hymns have been written and how they can still encourage us today. So in today's episode we are going to learn about the hymn called what a Friend we have in Jesus. All right, here is verse one of what a Friend we have in Jesus. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Speaker 1: 2:22

So so our story begins in the early 1800s in a small town of Bagbridge County down Ireland, and it's there in 1819 that Joseph Scroven is born into a well-off family. Joseph is a bright, compassionate young man with a bright and promising future. He graduated from Trinity College in Dublin and in his early 20s he was diagnosed Deeply in love and engaged to be married. But just one day before his wedding, tragedy struck and his fiance drowned in a tragic accident in the river Bain. That's a sad story, a sad situation Can you imagine, you know, looking forward to getting married and then a tragic accident happens. And in his grief, joseph decided that he needed a fresh start, hoping for a new beginning. So he left ireland behind and moved to canada. And he was hoping to have a fresh start. So he settled in port Hope, ontario.

Speaker 1: 4:23

During this time he sought a simple life, devoting himself to Christian service. So he began working as a tutor, a laborer, and he became known in his community for his, his generosity and his humility. Joseph's faith grew stronger as he channeled his sorrow into helping others, and he could be often seen chopping wood for elderly neighbors, visiting the sick and assisting those in need, and expecting nothing in return. They say he was called the Good Samaritan of Fort Hope and people knew him as a kind soul, someone who truly lived his faith every day. After some years passed, joseph did find love again. He became engaged to a young woman named Eliza Catherine Roach, but unfortunately, shortly before they were to be married, she fell gravely ill with pneumonia and of course Joseph prayed desperately for his fiance. He cared for her, but unfortunately she passed, passed away, and this left Joseph heartbroken again.

Speaker 1: 5:47

This is his second loss of a fiancee right before their wedding day, and you can see how so much pain in his life he turned to his faith as a source of strength and found purpose in helping others, dedicating himself to serving the poor and sick. So that's what he did. He continued to serve others. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our troubles, all our sorrows, share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Speaker 1: 6:59

So how did Joseph Scroven come to write what a Friend we have in Jesus? Well, one day in 1855, he received word that his mother, who was still back in Ireland, was sick and was going through a very difficult time. He was unable to travel back to comfort her, but he wrote her a letter including a poem that spoke of the comfort and friendship found in Jesus. This poem was simple and heartfelt and it came directly from his own experience of suffering and loss. He titled it prayer without pray without ceasing, but would later become known as the hymn that we know today as what a Friend we have in Jesus.

Speaker 1: 7:47

A few years later, a friend came across the poem and was moved by his message. The friend asked Joseph, did he write this? And Joseph modestly said the Lord and I did it. Between us. The words were so deeply rooted in faith and personal hardship. It quickly spread across Christian communities, but he never even intended for it to be published. For it to be published Then, in 1868, the hymn reached even greater popularity when it was set to music by a composer named Charles Converse. And from that point, what a Friend we have in Jesus became a staple hymn in churches worldwide, resonating over different denominations and cultures. Its simplicity and sincerity struck a chord and the hymn became a favorite of those seeking solace in difficult times. In 1875, the hymn writer Ira Sankey discovered the hymn and included it in one of his collections of hymns that became known as Skanky's Gospel Hymns no 1.

Speaker 1: 9:05

Joseph Scroven's life didn't become easier after he wrote the hymn. He continued to live a life marked by humility and self-sacrifice, but he also tended to battle depression and loneliness. But he also tended to battle depression and loneliness, and in 1886, joseph's life ended under somewhat mysterious circumstances. He was found drowned in a lake near his house and some say he may have taken his life due to his ongoing struggles with mental health. But no one knows for certain. But even in his passing, his legacy lives on through this hymn, a testament of power, of the power of faith in the midst of suffering.

Speaker 1: 9:59

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge? Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In his arms he'll take and shield you. You will find a soul is there.

Speaker 1: 10:33

So what do we take away from joseph scoven's story and the hymn that he left us? Perhaps it's a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. We learned that Joseph endured struggle after struggle and particularly loss after loss, and he turned to his faith, not as an escape but as a source of genuine comfort. He just didn't write about his friendship with Jesus. He lived it. He found strength and comfort that he could share with others. It was a reminder to us that, no matter what we face, we have a friend in Jesus who understands our struggles and our sorrows and is there to carry our burdens.

Speaker 1: 11:26

1 Peter 5, 6-9 tells us Alright. So thank you for joining us on this journey. In the proper time, he may exalt. You Cast all of your cares on him because he cares for you All right. So thank you for joining us on this journey to learn about the story behind what a friend we have in Jesus. You know, this story has a resonance of faith and hope that, even though in our darkest moments, we have someone there with us, even though if we feel alone. So I hope joseph's story has inspired you, um, as his hymn has inspired you, you know, many, many times. So I hope you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast, faithfully Living the Podcast and until next time, take care, keep the faith and remember God is always good and he's always faithful. Thank you for listening to the podcast. Do me a favor by following the podcast and leaving a review to help spread the word. I look forward to hearing from you. You.