Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus – Written by Louisa M. R. Stead

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take him at his Word

Just to rest upon his promise

Just to know, “thus sayeth the Lord!’

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!

How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh for grace to trust him more!

Like many of you, I can’t recall how many times I’ve sung this hymn. Today, when it came to mind, I started pondering the line, “how I’ve proved him o’er and o’er.

Louisa M. R. Stead, who wrote this hymn, penned these words after the loss of her husband who attempted to save a drowning boy while enjoying a picnic on a seemingly “normal” day with their daughter Lily.  Louisa instantly became a single mother and widow and yet was able to write such a beautiful and faith-filled hymn.

Yesterday I spent much of my afternoon with a twenty-two year old college student. Not too long ago, she experienced the trauma of being on the scene of a horrible accident that took the life of her dear friend. And while there are scars and grief and wounds, she has drawn closer to the Lord since. Doors have opened to share with others how he has proved her over and over.

When I first read the history of this hymn, I thought of many difficult seasons I have walked through and how God has used all of them to strengthen me and my walk with Him. But then my thoughts turned to Lily, Louisa’s daughter,  and how her mother claiming the goodness of God in the midst of their storm had to have impacted her deeply, as Louisa proved Him o’er and o’er.

He has proved himself trustworthy, steadfast, unconditionally loving, humble, sacrificing, compassionate, kind, and on and on and on. He is incomprehensible, too marvelous for words- how can we find human voice to describe the one who rescues, redeems and restores? His word continually points us to, “tell the next generation of His mighty deeds and wonders.” (Psalm 78:4). We have the calling to share wisdom, values and experiences, testimonies…to prove Him o’er and o’er.  Oh for grace to trust him more!

“Lord God, oh my Jesus, how you have given us beyond all we can ask or imagine…life eternal when we take your hand in rescue. I pray for every Mama reading this and coming alongside in prayer to trust our beloved treasures, our children, to you. I pray we will lift our eyes to the hills knowing our help is from you. As we prove you “o’er and o’er,” may our children see our faith and grow stronger as they build their own spiritual muscles. Surely Isaac did so as he watched his father, Abraham, trust his very life on mount Moriah …the same mountain where the completed sacrifice of your Son took place for our eternal benefit. May our confidence and strength grow and may we tell the next generation and those around us of your mighty and powerful deeds and wonders. I love you Lord and I thank you for the privilege of being your daughter. Amen”