For over 15 years I have written weekly hymn blogs. But while I have shared information about them, I have seldom listed which were my personal favorites. So I have begun a new feature in which once a month I share one of my favorites and why it has had an impact on my life.
TELL IT TO JESUS (LISTEN HERE)
I guess when you are young you seldom think about the challenges of getting old. But most of us someday will experience the changes which we all face during our senior years. I also doubt that few people ever think of the challenges one will face upon the loss of family members and close friends. At least I never thought about it until it happened.
Sometimes when the problems of life roll in, I long to be able to talk to my parents, or to my brother, or to my close friend Jim. But alas, they are all now in heaven. And, with the exception of my wife, I've reached the point where I no longer have that special person here on earth with whom I can share my burdens.
Recently when I was feeling the need to talk to someone about my needs, I turned on the radio and found that they were playing one of my favorite hymns. It was a reminder of my friend, Jesus. He is always there and willing to listen. He is never on vacation or too busy to listen. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. And He is faithful to keep all of His promises to us.
The original text of this hymn was written in German and was composed by Edmund Simon Lorenz (1854-1942). Lorenz was born in North Lawrence, a small village near Canton in Stark County, OH. He studied music at Otterbein University in Westerville, at Yale, and in Europe. The English translation was made by Jeremiah Eames Rankin, who is sometimes incorrectly listed as the author. An interesting sidelight about Lorenz is that he served as president of Lebanon Valley College from 1886-1888. I find that interesting since my four members of my family graduated from Lebanon Valley. Eventually, Lorenz settled in Dayton, where he founded the Lorenz Publishing Company. There he wrote several books and composed a number of sacred works.
Now I don't know the circumstances that brought him to compose this hymn but I can't help but believe that it must be his testimony of his life experiences.
Maybe today you are facing the difficult challenges of life and you may feel overwhelmed. You are fortunate if you have a friend here on earth who can bare these challenges with you. But please remember that the best place to take your challenges is straight to the Lord. Are you weary, are you heavy laden, are the tears flowing, are you anxious about tomorrow, are you worried about dying? Then take it to Jesus in prayer and do it now. You've no other such a friend or brother.
(1) Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
(2) Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men's eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
(3) Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
(4) Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
For Christ's coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
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