“Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus”
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The hymn “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus,” United Methodist Hymn 462 (GBH 162), was written by Louisa M.R. Stead. Biographical information on Miss Stead is very scanty, but the “Blue Letter Bible” website has it that she was born around 1850 in Dover, England; and died in Penkridge, Zimbabwe on January 18, 1917. The site said as a teenager, Stead felt called to be a missionary and went to America around age 21, living for a while in Cincinnati, Ohio. At a camp meeting in Urbana, Ohio, she felt the missionary calling even more strongly, but was unable to go to China as she wanted to, due to her frail health. She married a Mr. Stead in 1875. At least two accounts have it that her husband drowned tragically while trying to save someone who was drowning. Stead went to South Africa around 1880, and served as a missionary for some 15 years. She married Robert Wodehouse in South Africa, but returned to America in 1895 to recover her health. In 1901 she went back on missions in Rhodesia. Her daughter Lily married D. A. Carson and became a missionary like her mother.
In spite of her frail health Louisa Stead showed her passion for Christ, trusting Him to take care of her on her missionary journeys to Africa.
Please find the 3 stanzas of the inspiring hymn, “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” below.
1. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust his cleansing blood; and in simple faith to plunge me neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]
3. Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease; just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain]
One scripture that inspired this great hymn was Psalm 9:10 which reads:
“And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Knowing someone by name indicates intimacy. My wife comes from a large family; so large I could not keep track. I remember meeting one of her distant aunties who asked me if I knew her. I stood there trying to remember her, and she was so disappointed. I could not remember anything about her! What this text is talking about is far deeper than merely knowing a name. Bible is talking about knowing his name as the “Promise Keeper.” That is why they will put their trust in Him. That is why Louisa M.R. Stead would put her trust in Him despite a family tragedy, and frail health, and put it in words in her beautiful hymn, “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.”
May her life and ministry inspire us to also put our trust in God, notwithstanding our life’s circumstances.
MEMORY VERSE
“And those who know your name put their trust in you.”
(Psalm 9:10)
QUESTIONS
- What do you want to do for God, but set back by life’s circumstances?
- God is a promise keeper. Can you trust Him to take care of things?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help my unbelief. I want to trust You, and You only.
CREDIT
- HYMNARY.ORG, “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus,” https://hymnary.org/text/tis_so_sweet_to_trust_in_jesus_just_to
- BLUE LETTER BIBLE, ” Hymns / Music :: Louisa M. R. Stead ,” https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_s_t_stead_lmr.cfm
- DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES, “History of Hymns: “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-tis-so-sweet-to-trust-in-jesus
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
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God richly bless you.
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