'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

The middle verse of the entire Bible:

It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
Ps. 118:8

Louisa M.R. Stead (1850-1917) felt the call to the mission field at an early age. That dream was hindered due to her frail health. At age 25 she married and a year later gave birth to a beautiful baby girl; Lily. Several years after Lily's birth, Stead's young husband suddenly died while trying to save a drowning child. Stead was a poor woman and she was hardly able to provide for her daughter. One day when it seemed that all of their resources were gone, she found a gift of food and money left on her doorstep. It was on that day that she sat and wrote these words: "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus…"

Years later, Stead would remarry. She would also realize her dream to be a missionary. Her daughter Lily would continue that dream by also entering the mission field. Stead's life was a testimony to the faithfulness of God.

The words of Stead's poem were put to music by famed musician William J. Kirkpatrick, and subsequently published in several hymnals. The tragedy that prompted the lyrics of Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus has resulted in bringing comfort to many souls, for close to 130 years.

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, 'Thus says the Lord!'

Refrain

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood;

And in simple faith to plunge me

'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,

everywhere you go;

he’s the one who will keep you on track.

Don’t assume that you know it all.

Run to God! Run from evil!

Your body will glow with health,

your very bones will vibrate with life!

Honor God with everything you own;

give him the first and the best.


Your barns will burst,

your wine vats will brim over.

But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;

don’t sulk under his loving correction.

It’s the child he loves that God corrects;

a father’s delight is behind all this.