Hello friends, old and new! I wanted to share this hymn again, which I have already shared, since I was listening to it and meditating on the blessing of running to Jesus with all our burdens and troubles. As we gather on the Lord’s Day tomorrow, let us remember that God’s house is a house of prayer. Are you burdened and heavy laden? Run to Jesus. Are you sick or weary? Run to Jesus. Do you have many troubles that no-one either knows about or can do anything about? Run to Jesus. Just as this song reminds us, “Jesus can help me, Jesus alone”. Enjoy!

Today’s hymn is written by Elisha Hoffman (1839-1929), an American minister who wrote more than 2,000 gospel songs including “Leaning on the everlasting arms”. The story behind this hymn by the pastor-composer was told to another gospel composer, Charles Gabriel, in 1916: “While I was a pastor at Lebanon, Pa., I called one day at the home of a parishioner and found the lady in great distress and sorrow. Wringing her hands, she cried: “What shall I do—what shall I do?” I replied, “You cannot do better than to take it all to Jesus—you must tell Jesus.” For a moment she seemed abstracted in meditation, then her face glowed, her eyes lighted up, and with animation she exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus!”¹ I hope you too can tell all your burdens to Jesus; enjoy!

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end. [Refrain]

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share. [Refrain]

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win. [Refrain]

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Today’s hymn is a very short one from Charles Wesley, but nonetheless can still counsel our souls to trust in God. Originally titled “Let not your heart be troubled”, it’s taken from his collection called Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures. I hope these simple words can give voice to those of us who need to turn to the Lord for comfort today.

Calmer of the troubled heart,
Bid my unbelief depart;
Speak, and all my sorrows cease,
Speak, and all my soul is peace:
With the hope of thy return,
Comfort me, whene’er I mourn,
And till I thy glory see,
Bid me still believe in Thee.

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Today’s hymn comes from English hymn writer Isaac Watts. This one is an evening song, for reflection on the day gone. I hope this can be a blessing to you; enjoy!

And now another day is gone,
I’ll sing my Maker’s praise!
My comforts every hour make known
His providence and grace.

But how my childhood runs to waste
My sins how great their sum!
Lord, give me pardon for the past,
And strength for days to come.

I lay my body down to sleep,
Let angels guard my head;
And, through the hours of darkness, keep
Their watch around my head.

With cheerful heart I close mine eyes,
Since thou wilt not remove;
And in the morning let me rise
Rejoicing in thy love.

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Today’s hymn is a gospel song from William MacKay (1839-1885), a Scottish physician who became a Presbyterian minister. Although raised by a devout Christian mother, he departed from what he was taught whilst studying, until one encounter in the hospital. The below is longer than I usually share, but I was so touched by the story I couldn’t keep it to myself. May the Lord use all our circumstances to revive us to love him always!

When asked the dying patient if there was anyone to notify he “shook his head. His only wish was to see his landlady, [and] requested his landlady send him, ‘The Book….’. I went to see him on my regular visits at least once a day. What struck me most was the quiet, almost happy expression constantly on his face. After the man died, some things about the deceased’s affairs were to be attended to in my presence. “What shall we do with this?” asked the nurse, holding up a book in her hand. “What kind of book is it?” I asked. “The Bible of the poor man. As long as he was able to read it, he did so, and when he was unable to do so anymore, he kept it under his bed cover.” I took the Bible and—could I trust my eyes? It was my own Bible! The Bible which my mother had given me when I left my parents’ home, and which later, when short of money, I sold for a small amount. My name was still in it, written in my mother’s hand. With a deep sense of shame I looked upon the precious Book. It had given comfort and refreshing to the unfortunate man in his last hours. It had been a guide to him into eternal life, so that he had been enabled to die in peace and happiness. And this Book, the last gift of my mother, I had actually sold for a ridiculous price. Be it sufficient to say that the regained possession of my Bible was the cause of my conversion.”¹

We praise thee, O God,
For the Son of thy love,
For Jesus who died
And is now gone above.

Refrain
Hallelujah, thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, thine the glory!
Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Saviour,
And scattered our night. [Refrain]

All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain
Who hath borne all our sins
And hath cleansed every stain. [Refrain]

All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who has bought us; and sought us,
And guided our ways. [Refrain]

Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above. [Refrain]

¹hymncharts.com/2024/03/10/the-story-behind-revive-us-again/#:~:text=Inspired%20by%20his%20renewed%20faith,%2C%20with%20the%20chorus%20%E2%80%9CHallelujah!

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Today’s hymn comes from beloved English poet and hymn writer William Cowper (1731-1800), and he provides here an exhortation to pray; does anymore need to be said? Enjoy this one!

What various hindrances we meet
In coming to the mercy seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of pray’r
But wishes to be often there!

Pray’r makes the darkened clouds withdraw;
Pray’r climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love;
Brings ev’ry blessing from above.

Restraining pray’r, we cease to fight;
Pray’r makes the Christian’s armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

Have you no words? Ah, think again:
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill a fellow-creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To heav’n in supplication sent,
Our cheerful song would oft’ner be,
“Hear what the Lord hath done for me!”

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Today’s hymn is written by British organist and composer Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849 – 1923). This one is a hymn you’ll want to store away for days when you’re struggling to pray, due to the hymn’s simplicity and expressed desire to walk in the way of the Lord. Enjoy!

Teach me thy way, O Lord; teach me thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
lead me with heav’nly light; teach me thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
in failure or success, teach me thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me thy way!
Shine thro’ the cloud and rain, thro’ sorrow, toil, and pain;
make thou my pathway plain; teach me thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
until the crown is won, teach me thy way

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Today’s hymn comes from Lucy Bennett (1850-1927). She was a committed Methodist and a poet. She began to write poems, hymns and prose at an early age. As a young woman, she attended Keswick Conventions where she met and corresponded with prominent Christian leaders, including Christina Rosseti and C. H. Spurgeon. She was active at Mount Pleasant Chapel where she arranged for ministers, led a Bible Class for women, and visited and helped the poor and needy_¹. Enjoy!

O teach me what it meaneth,
That cross uplifted high,
With One, the Man of Sorrows,
Condemned to bleed and die!
O teach me what it cost Thee
To make a sinner whole;
And teach me, Savior, teach me
The value of a soul!

O teach me what it meaneth,
That sacred crimson tide,
The blood and water flowing
From Thine own wounded side.
Teach me that if none other
Had sinned, but I alone,
Yet still Thy blood, Lord Jesus,
Thine only, must atone.

O teach me what it meaneth,
Thy love beyond compare,
The love that reacheth deeper
Than depths of self-despair!
Yes, teach me, till there gloweth
In this cold heart of mine
Some feeble, pale reflection
Of that pure love of Thine.

O teach me what it meaneth,
For I am full of sin,
And grace alone can reach me,
And love alone can win.
O teach me, for I need Thee,
I have no hope beside—
The chief of all the sinners
For whom the Savior died!

O teach me what it meaneth
The rest which Thou dost give
To all the heavy-laden
Who look to Thee and live.
Because I am a rebel
Thy pardon I receive
Because Thou dost command me,
I can, I do believe.

O infinite Redeemer!
I bring no other plea;
Because Thou dost invite me
I cast myself on Thee.
Because Thou dost accept me
I love and I adore;
Because Thy love constraineth,
I’ll praise Thee evermore!

¹https://hymnary.org/person/Bennett_Lucy

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Today’s hymn comes from Charlotte Elliott, writer of the more well known hymn “Just As I Am”. I hope you can say along with Ms Elliott today, in all your cares and troubles, “Thy will be done!”Enjoy!

My God, my Father, while I stray
Far from my home in life’s rough way,
O teach me from my heart to say,
“Thy will be done!”

Though dark my path, and sad my lot,
Let me be still and murmur not,
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
“Thy will be done!”

If Thou shouldst call me to resign
What most I prize, it ne’er was mine;
I only yield Thee what was Thine;
“Thy will be done!”

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to Thee I leave the rest;
“Thy will be done!”

Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
“Thy will be done!”

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