True Stories Behind the Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” ~Nahum 1:7
The hymn “Jesus Lover Of My Soul” was written by Charles Wesley, an English hymn writer, poet, and preacher who lived from 1707 to 1788.
One of the greatest hymn writers of the Christian tradition, Charles Wesley penned over 6ooo hymns.
“Jesus Lover of My Soul” is treasured as his finest hymn and has been translated into almost every known language.
Though it was first published in 1740, it was not until after Charle’s had died that his beautiful hymn became well known and loved.
Many stories abound regarding the inspiration for the hymn.
According to one story, in the late fall of 1736 on his way back from a brief sojourn in the United States, the ship that Charles was on got caught in a terrible storm.
He and the rest of the passengers must have endured a horrible trial of sheer terror and uncertainty.
“My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name! My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is!”
PATHS OF PEACE
All Glory to our wonderful God who has blessed me with a new book! My publishing company, Wings of the Morning Publications, LLC, just recently published my first book, “Paths of Peace, Illustrated Prayersong Book,” in print and eBook editions!
I have very good reason to celebrate because as someone with very little time, and yet who must work within the boundaries of an autoimmune disorder that causes me to have chronic migraines that are often so severe I cannot do anything but lie in a dark room and pray to the Lord, it is miraculous that I can accomplish the things the Lord inspires me to do.
We serve a wonderful God who gives me the grace to bear my cross through the faithful prayers and encouragement of my church, family, and wonderful friends. I could not do a thing apart from Christ and the faithful prayers of His people. I know this.
Despite my often debilitating affliction, God has helped me to compose music, write songs and poems, paint pictures, make albums, and videos, to manage my Etsy shop, and now through His strength to write and illustrate this book to comfort and encourage people.
How but through God’s amazing power and grace could I have done or do what I do? People who know me in person realize this more than anyone else because all they have to do is be with me for a few hours before they notice that my energy fades, my face turns pale, and I begin to wilt like a flower without water.
Activities that most people take for granted, I am unable to do or can only do for a little while before exhaustion takes over and I must go home to take a long nap. If I overdo anything one day, I will pay a price of being bedridden sometimes for three days or more, losing precious time off from my work.
But those days when I must spend time in bed, I will worship the Lord. Time away from work is never wasted when it is spent in the heart of God abiding in Christ.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not an affliction I would wish on anyone. For as of now there is no cure. Since 2006, when I got CFS, many people, churches, family and friends have prayed for my healing. I’ve been anointed with oil, and even gone to special healing services, but the Lord seems always to say “no,” as He told St. Paul. “My grace is sufficient for Thee.”
There is an interesting verse in Psalm 33:
“No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength. Horses are not a guarantee for victory. Their great strength cannot help someone escape. The Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him, on those who wait with hope for his mercy” ~Psalm 33:16-18
In other words, God is not impressed with strength, power, health and beauty and youth like the world is. What does impress Him though is our willingness to step out in faith no matter how weak we are and trust that He can do the impossible with us no matter how broken we are. Because our weakness shows how strong He is. His light shines best through the broken pots. His glory cannot be seen through an unbroken vessel.
If God is glorified in my brokenness then I will praise Him no matter how many migraines I must suffer on this earth! Because I love my Lord Jesus Christ and I know He loves me. He suffered far more than I will ever suffer when He was nailed to the cross and when He was beaten and lashed for my sins to make me His own. He had to wear a piercing crown of thorns and I think about His excruciating pain He suffered for me when my head is engulfed in pain and so I just lay it all at His feet and worship Him.
Praise our wonderful God with me for the book of prayersongs that He gave me! Praise Him with me for every album of prayersongs and instrumental music He blesses me with, for they are all from Him and gifts for His people to encourage them and to encourage me also! The Lord encourages me as He gives me prayersongs, paintings, musical compositions, and poems. I am just a conduit of His grace.
Watch the video below to take a peek inside Paths of Peace Illustrated Prayersong Book and to listen to one of the songs from the book. The book features the lyrics that I sing on my album “Paths of Peace, Songs of Love and Peace.”
Please pray that God will use both the book and song and album to comfort and encourage many people for the Lord! And thank Him with me that He enabled me to accomplish this wonderful book! For truly this is miraculous!
God bless you all! ~Suzanne
Heavenly Father, thank You that with You ALL things are possible. It doesn’t matter who we are or what our abilities or weaknesses are, You are more than able to work through any broken pot and do amazing things through each of us if we will only step out in faith and trust in You. We praise You for Your great power and strength and love for us! In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
Bible Dictionary: (Thayer & Strong’s) ~Faith * Conviction of the truth of anything; truth, assurance, to trust, have confidence in, be convinced, be persuaded of a thing concerning a person.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help us to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in You ever more each day. Thy word says that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” so help us to read & meditate on Thy word in our daily walk with You. Help us to turn our eyes onto Jesus and off the things of this world that so often steals our attention from You. For this world is not our true home, You are, Lord. We love you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ENCOURAGING SCRIPTURES ABOUT FAITH IN GOD
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”~ Hebrews 11:1
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” ~ Hebrews 11:3
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” ~Hebrews 11:6
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end…” ~ Hebrews 3:12-14
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.
Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.” ~ Habakkuk 2:3-4 (Amplified Bible Version)
“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” ~Numbers 23:19 (New Living Translation)
Oh, There’s a Rainbow up ahead
Awaiting for me,
A promise of joy and hope,
A gift from the Father,
Creator of life,
The Maker of all Rainbows.
Oh there’s a promise up ahead
Of new life for me;
A river of mercy and peace;
Where the waters of God’s love
Will never run dry,
Where His presence
Will never cease.
Oh, there’s a rainbow up ahead
Awaiting for me,
The promise of bright new clothes~
A golden ring and a holy name
That no one but Jesus knows.
Oh there’s a promise up ahead
Of faith for my heart;
A gift from my Father above,
To help me to walk with Him each day
And to know His holy love.
Oh there’s a rainbow up ahead
Awaiting for me,
I just need to point my eyes
Up to the Son in the Heavens
And to trust that God never lies.
“Rainbow Up Ahead” are the lyrics to one of the prayer songs featured on my first album, “God’s Rainbow Promise.”
So often we get our focus off of Jesus and onto this material world, but the Bible reminds us that everything in this world that we can see and touch with our hands is only temporary, while the things we cannot see are eternal.
In his second epistle to the Corinthian Church, St. Paul encourages those who were suffering with these words, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
God gives many promises in the bible to His children that are eternal promises that will only be fulfilled when we see our Lord face to face.
If we base our hopes in this material life we will be sadly disappointed, because as St. John wrote, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” ~ 1 John 2:17
Nothing in this material world is permanent. Jesus assures us that we are going to suffer tribulations in this life, but that if we abide in Him and in His word we shall have joy and peace because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever~He is eternal. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”~ John 16:33
Trust God. He is completely faithful to keep every promise He makes. He has never failed you and He never will.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may You bless Thy children who are suffering trials of any sort, whatever path they are on today, lead and guide them with Thy wisdom and counsel.
Heal all hearts that have been broken and disappointed.
Speak words of comfort to those who desperately need a word from You, draw them close to You and encourage their heart with Thy measureless love for them.
Thank You, Lord, in Jesus’ mighty name, amen & amen.
Peaceangel Song 
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