SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS – SONGS OF PRAISE – by Charles Schokman
“The eternal God is our hiding place; he carries us in his arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27 CEV).
I am always captivated with hymns composed by Fanny Crosby –though blind, was one of the most prolific hymn writers in Christian history. Although the hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” is probably not her most well-known hymn, it is another inspiring hymn. Fanny Crosby’s personal testimony is not only powerful, but her writings are a constant reminder to maintain the proper perspective about life, about grace, about trials and tribulations, and about God. The story behind this particular hymn is a rather difficult one. According to a source, the thought behind this hymn came to Mrs. Crosby after an awful tragedy in her life. She was pregnant, but lost the baby during childbirth. She was so personally devastated by the event that she hardly spoke to anyone about it. Years later, a musician, William H. Doan, stopped by her apartment and wanted her to write words for a tune he just composed. Having listened to the tune, Crosby exclaimed, “That’s ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus!’’ She at once retired to an adjoining room, where she spent half an hour alone and wrote the words of this hymn. She felt that it was written for the bereaved, especially mothers that have lost their children.
Fanny Crosby felt safe in the arms of Jesus Christ and on His gentle breast where His love over shaded. So, her soul sweetly rested in the arms. She felt safe from corroding care, and from the world’s temptations. Thus, sin cannot harm her there. She was free from the blight of sorrow, and from her doubts and fears, though there remain only a few more trials and a few more tears. Jesus was her heart’s dear Refuge because she believed that Jesus has died for her. Consequently, her trust was ever firm on the Rock of Ages. Confidently, she could wait here with patience, till the night was over, till she saw the morning Break on the golden shore. In spite of her life’s travails, she was indeed safe in the arms of Jesus Christ.
What trying time are you passing through? Are you safe in the arms of Jesus in your trying times? Will you not throw yourself into those safe arms and gentle breast of Jesus Christ? Your soul will surely find rest from all corroding care, the blight of sorrow, doubts and fears of this world if you do.
I pray that you will be safe in the arms of Jesus no matter the corroding care, the blight of sorrow, doubts and fears of this world you may be facing in Jesus’ name. Amen. Courtesy of Pastor—Bayo Afolaranmi.
This hymn is dedicated to the late Des Kelly (Editor-in-Chief,eLanka) who has gone to be with the Lord and to his family, relatives, friends and email contacts who mourns his loss.
Prayerfully, listen to this hymn and be assured that Des is safe in the arms of Jesus.
