True Friends

True friends are very hard to come by. Very few people truly love us and accept us just as we are with all of our good and bad. It is amazingly difficult to realize that we may have numerous acquaintances that are “good-time” and “fair-weather” friends, but those who will come to our aid rendering help in a time of need are few.

Joseph Scriven at one time in his life had what we might call, “it all!” He was wealthy, had good health and a good education. He had happiness, a close and devoted family. You could actually say that Scriven was living a very good life in his home in Ireland.

Then a very tragic event changed his life forever. The night before his wedding day his fiancée drowned. He could not find comfort. His friends tried to comfort him but to no avail. He began to realize that the only place he could find true comfort and support was in his precious savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scriven made a life changing decision; he dramatically changed how he looked at and lived his life. He chose to leave Ireland and live in Port Hope, Canada where he dedicated his life to being a real and true friend and a helper to those in need.

Many times he would give away clothing and possessions to those who had a need. Many times he would work for someone who needed a job done without pay. He actually became known as the Good Samaritan in the city of Port Hope.

When Scriven learned that his mother was very ill back in Ireland, he wrote her a letter hoping to comfort and console her. He knew that she needed a friend that she could rely on and find absolute comfort in this desperate time of sickness. So he enclosed a poem that he had recently composed with a note hoping and praying that the words in his poem would remind his mother of the one true friend that would never fail her or let her down.

Moving into the future, when Scriven was very sick, a friend came to visit him. His friend happened to see a copy of that poem on the nightstand near the bed. Scriven’s friend read those words and asked, “Who wrote these beautiful words?” Scriven is said to have replied, “The Lord and I did it between us.”

You know these words very well, and you have sung this poem numerous times. Now, you know where these “beautiful words” came from. Here is Joseph Scriven’s poem he wrote about a friend who will never let you down regardless of the tragedy that comes your way.

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O, what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer




Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged- take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our troubles share?
Jesus knows our every weakness – take to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge – take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee – thou wilt find a solace there.