Making Melody in Your Heart

Being a believer in Jesus is not always easy. In fact, more often than not it brings persecution, trials of all kinds, and many deep valleys through which the child of God must walk. The up side is that we do not endure these hardships alone. In God’s Word He promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

Through the ages, many believers learned the truth of the Lord’s presence during testing. Often these hardships were put on paper and later set to music. Many became some of the great hymns of the faith.

How Firm a Foundation
In 1787 John Rippon (1751–1836), a 36-year-old Baptist minister, used Hebrews 13:5 as the basis for this greatly beloved hymn.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

God Leads Us Along
George Young was a 19th-century preacher and carpenter who ministered in country churches. He often received no regular salary, which made it difficult to provide for his family. Finally, George built a modest home for his family. But while he was away teaching the Word, locals who disliked the gospel message burned his house to the ground. Out of that loss in 1903, Pastor Young penned these moving words and composed the melody:

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

I Must Tell Jesus
Elisha A. Hoffman (1839–1929), the son of a minister, was himself ordained in 1868. He was the author of some well-loved hymns, including “Are You Washed in the Blood?” “Down at the Cross,” “Is Your All on the Altar?” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” This one gives instructions for trials:

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.
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

Blessed  Assurance
Fanny Crosby (1820–1915) is probably one of the best-known and best-loved hymn and gospel songwriters of all time. She is believed to have written more than 8,000 hymns. Blinded in a medical accident when she was merely an infant, she could have been bitter but instead chose to invest all her energies in praising God. Her astounding spiritual sight enabled her to “see” far better than any physical eyes ever could, as demonstrated in these words:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

I’d Rather  Have Jesus
The words to this beautiful song came from a poem written in 1922 by Rhea F. Miller. George Beverly Shea wrote the music. According to the late evangelist Jack Wyrtzen, George’s mother had placed the poem on the family piano so George would see it when he returned home after receiving a lucrative singing offer in the secular world. After reading the poem, he chose to serve the Lord and wrote the music to this famous and beautiful hymn. Bev Shea will be 99 in February. And as of this writing, he is still singing.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.