Favorite - I MUST TELL JESUS

For 15 years I have written weekly hymn blogs, over 650 of them.  But while I have shared information about them, I have never listed which were my personal favorites.  So I am beginning a new feature in which once a month I will share one of my favorites and why it has had an impact on my life.

I MUST TELL JESUS    Listen

          I had a father who was a wise godly man.  Throughout my life I could share my concerns and questions with him and he would always take time to try and help and comfort me.  After he passed away I missed those special opportunities. I miss both of my parents and I often wish I could just pick up the phone and share with them once again.

          But while those times were special, I have an all powerful, all knowing Father who is always there to listen, guide and comfort.  And He is always just a prayer away - throughout the day and especially throughout the night when problems often seem worse.

          Elisha Hoffman was a pastor who served not far from where I live, in Lebanon PA.  He related  that there was a woman to whom God had permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, he found her very much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do?" 

          Accoding to Hoffman, "I quoted from the Word and then added, You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus." For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." 

          As Hoffman left her home he had a vision of that joy-illuminated face … and he heard all along his pathway the echo, "I must tell Jesus. I must tell Jesus." After reaching home, Hoffman wrote both the words and the music to this comforting hymn.

           It always amazes me how so many of the great hymns were written so quickly and often resulted from experiences of sorrow and pain. Maybe today your burdens are very heavy and you don't know what to do. Let the words of this hymn tell you what you should do.

(1) 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.

(2) 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:

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.

(3) 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:

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.

(4) What must I do when worldliness calls me?

What must I do when tempted to sin?

I must tell Jesus, and He will help me

Over the world the vict'ry to win.

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.