Jesus, lover of my soul

Been facing challenges of late, since 2 2 Aug 2018, in SA. was attacked by robbers, next my car battery was stolen, next my car immobiliser stopped to work, next my car was hit by someone driving a bakkie while parking my car my friend's yard, the person who smashed mey car threatened me and my family if we report to the police, my neighbours stood with him, I am a Zimbabwean in SA. So they took advantage of that, he sent gangsters to threaten us, in the mean time my wife not feeling well, having paid the money to a private doc, he didn't do what we requested, rather did otherwise and the money is gone.... All this in a space of 2 weeks.... I then remembered this hymn, went into my bedroom, sang it passionately and prayed.

Such a blessing to sing this song aloud to myself and my children!

This is one of my favourite hymns. In my weakness I found strength and inner peace. When I am lost and faced with life threatening battles, especially from those who hide their malice behind the mask of virtue, I quickly got back to the hymns and always there I take my refuge from God Almighty.

Today, this song is coming to me with a fresh message of encouragement and strength. It reminds me of my sinfulness so well and the fact of Jesus being my unconditional lover and refuge. With such a Savior, what or who else would I ever need? I am going to come back to this song over and over again for the rest of my life.

This Hymn lifted out of dipression...
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, oh, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.

My heart has been heavy since early morning, my eyes full of tears as my kids watch me. thinking of all the challenges I am facing now. But this song has litted my spirit. Thank God for the song writer. I'm blessed.

Thank you Steve Miller for giving stanza 2 on 2 Feb 2014.

Charles Wesley, the father of hymnody and the “first Methodist” wrote over 8,000 hymns. One for every day after his conversion until the day he died. This hymn is his crowning work.

There are two accounts as to the occasion in which he wrote it. One version tells us that during a stormy night, Charles, unable to sleep, opened his bedroom window to watch the storm. As he was viewing the stormy scene, suddenly a bird exhausted by the wind and hotly persued by a hawk, flew into the window and Charles Wesley’s breast for protection. Having saved the bird and placed it in security, he turned to his desk and wrote this hymn so realistic and so descriptive of fear and intense longing of the anxious soul to find safety and rest.

Another account tells that Wesley, while in Killyleag County Down, Ireland had been preaching in the open fields. In the process, he was persued by a mob violently opposed to his message. Charles was given a hiding place by a local farmer’s wife and is said to have penned this words to the hymn while hearing the cries of his pursuers nearby.

Jesus, lover of my soul. Fill my heart with Your love. Cause me to smile again in Jesus name. Amen.

Oh Lord of all Grace, May you fulfill in me and everyone the depth and revelation behind this hymn in Jesus name.