'Tis So Sweet

The classic hymn "Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus" was penned out of gratefulness for God's provision in the midst of extreme challenges.

'Tis So Sweet

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

Just as many of us have done many times, Louisa Stead sat on the sand at the beach with her husband and daughter while on vacation. But what began as a lovely afternoon under the sun would quickly turn into a dark day of mourning. A young boy began screaming for help from the roaring waves, and Louisa's husband jumped into action to help save him. But instead of a great rescue, the drowning boy pulled his would-be rescuer down with him, and they both tragically drowned.

Louisa had always dreamed of being a missionary, but poor health prevented her from going to the field. Now, these challenges were only exasperated as she struggled as a widow to provide for her daughter, Lily. Burdened with grief and plagued by poverty, Louisa nevertheless sought to trust the Lord in the midst of this personal tragedy. One day, as the hunger was mounting, a knock on the door led Louisa to find a package on her doorstep with both food and money for her and Lily.

In response to this unexplained provision amidst the challenges she was facing, Louisa sat down to pen the words of "Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus".

Consider the grateful heart and deep trust in the Lord it would take for Louisa to write these lyrics:

'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."

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!

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!

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.

Louisa was in a position in her life where she had no choice but "to rest upon His promise" and "take Him at his word". As she chose to trust the Lord, He provided like only He can.

Eventually Louisa did get to fulfill her dream of being a missionary and continued to live a life of great trust in the sure provision of the Lord and the peace that trusting in Him brings.

Remember the words of Paul in Philippians 4:19: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

To know the Lord is to trust Him and to be a witness to His faithfulness, not only in providing for our needs in this life, but in the life to come, as our Savior Whose "cleansing blood" makes our salvation possible and sure.