Blessed Savior, Thou Hast Promised

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19

Our Savior has promised that He will daily bear our burden - all we have to do is bring it to Him in prayer. This hymn exhorts us to bring everything to the Lord in earnest prayer. One of my favorite stories from the Bible is what happened when Elijah prayed earnestly. James recounts it for us in the New Testament as he reminds us that the effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:16-18

Elijah was a man with a nature like OURS - he was just a man. But he prayed earnestly, the Lord listened, and responded. I don't know about you, but this story is so encouraging to me. Are you waiting for an answer from the Lord? Keep praying earnestly!

The great thing is, we won't have to pray earnestly forever. Soon, when we are in glory bright there will be no need for prayer. Instead, we will praise and worship endlessly.

And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED." Revelation 15:3-4

I can hardly wait to sing that song to our Savior in heaven! Until that day, I will continue to carry everything to God in prayer. I've never found a friend so faithful!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Words by Joseph Scriven

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs 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 sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it 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 your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.