Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus {The Story Behind the Hymn}

I love old hymns. I love the heart, the theology, but most of all the testimonies of faith that they offer up. Men and women who walked through the fire. Men and women who suffered through trials and tribulations–the worst that this world has to offer–and whose faith remained stronger on the other side. Those who trusted in the sovereignty of God and took comfort in Him, even in the trials.

So sweet

So, I’m going to be sharing some of these stories in hopes that they will inspire and encourage you as well. Maybe you already know them and maybe you don’t. But either way, I pray you’ll be encouraged.

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

{The Story}

As the story goes, Louisa M. R. Stead had a deep faith and desired to be a missionary to China. However, her frail health prevented her from doing this. She was married in 1875. One day, around the year 1879-1880 (there are varying accounts to the details), she went picnicking with her husband and daughter. They heard the screams of a young boy, and her husband tried to rescue him from the water. Instead, she and her daughter Lily watched helplessly as both her husband and the young boy drowned. Some actually say that he saved their daughter who was drowning as well, but most accounts I have read said he died saving a young boy.

Louisa was surely devastated by the loss of her husband, but in addition to that, she and Lily were left without a means of support and were poor and destitute. Yet the Lord always provided, sometimes through the kindness of strangers. She and her daughter made it through this time and eventually became missionaries in South Africa.

However, it was in the midst of her trials that Louisa Stead penned the following words…

{The Hymn}

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:

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!

Oh, 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.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

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