By He Reads Truth
Sitting in the sand on a seaside holiday, Louisa Stead and her husband watched as their four-year-old daughter played in the sunshine. From out in the dark waves they heard cries for help from a boy struggling to stay afloat. Her husband ran into the water to rescue him. But despite his efforts to bring the boy back to shore, both he and the child drowned.
Shocked, grieving, and penniless, Louisa and her daughter struggled in the years that followed. The tragedy of her husband’s death weighed heavily on her, both as a mourning wife and as the unexpected head of household. She didn’t have money for food, and their hungry days passed slowly, sustained by a quiet faith in God’s goodness in spite of their dire circumstances.
One day, Louisa heard a sound at the door. Upon opening it, she found a solitary parcel on her front doorstep. Not seeing anyone around, she looked inside and discovered a small gift of food and money (McKay 89). That same day she penned the words, “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word.”
Louisa’s life gives a powerful testament of simple yet mighty faith in Jesus. Her story reminds us that, even in the difficult times, God is surely our salvation. We can “trust and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). Let us take Jesus at His word and believe that He will care for us.
‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Louisa Stead
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
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!
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]
16 thoughts on "‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"
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Andy Abelein says:
Man. I love the simplicity of the thought, yet the magnitude of the meaning.
“Just to take him at his word.” Such a simple thought. Yet if we were to REALLY just take him at his word, all the time, the magnitude of what it would do in our lives would be incredible. The worries and anxiousness that we feel would be greatly minimized. The longing for pleasure and satisfaction in the world would be nonexistent, as our satisfaction would be found solely in Christ. Our temptations would be no match against our love for wisdom and truth.
Man. I can get so caught up in the minute details that I forget to take a step back and just take God at his word. To just rest in his promises.
May we all take that step back today.
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Adam says:
God always provides. That doesn’t mean life will be easy, because God has also promised that those who love Him will be persecuted for His name. Why is it so difficult for us to trust the creator of the universe with our trivial struggles? Look to Him and find peace. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, who have been called according to His purpose.”
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Elvie Ellis says:
In the past couple of months I have learned to trust Jesus more and more. I have prayed both small and big prayers and seen them answered time and time again. I have walked into the unknown, the unfamiliar, and the unflattering, and in the midst of it all found a way to trust in Jesus despite the circumstances. How sweet it is to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word!
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Matt Vanderworp says:
So many times we question if God will provide or take care of us. We always ask, “well what if (insert excuse)!?” No, God is BIGGER than those things! Stop living a life of anxiety and thinking that he’s just going to let you suffer for no reason. God has purpose for your life and great plans that you don’t know about! I like to look back at Matthew 6:25:
““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”Yes, it is true, ’tis so sweet to trust in Jesus and to take him at his word. His word is true and faithful, trust it! Don’t fret, have faith.
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Jared Phillips says:
The act of trusting in Jesus will lead us to a life marked by joy, rest, and radical generosity. This act isn’t merely saying “I trust in Jesus”, but rather putting our money where our mouth is by being active in prayer then working to be the answers to our own prayers! When we pray for those that are homeless, let us then go out and serve them. When we pray to be lifted out of depression or debt, let us then go out and be in community or make a budget. Whatever it may be, our faithfulness in action allows God’s faithfulness to us to be on full display.
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John says:
In our current day, this is tough — it’s always been tough — but with fame, money, and power being thrust at us constantly as the only pursuit, trusting in Jesus doesn’t always produce those worldly things. Of course, trusting in Jesus and obtaining fame, money, and power can go hand in hand, but it’s not promised. And it shouldn’t be pursued unless those things are being done for and to the glory of God. What is promised is grace, peace that passes all understanding, never being plucked from His hand, royal priesthood, life ever lasting and God himself! These things are far greater than anything the world can give because they are enteral and the things of this world are passing away into rust, moths, and the holding places of thieves.
It’s a sweeter way to live in the light of the Father through the loving grasp of Jesus the Christ and the Holy Helper. Praise God for His great works! Thank the Messiah for laying down his life for us, so that even when it doesn’t look so great down here on earth as we wade through life’s ups and downs, we have his cleansing blood and everlasting love! The world won’t understand, but God does.
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Dillon Davis says:
Bathe me in that cleansing flow, Jesus. I want you today and only you. None of the trash and garbage I’ve seen and absorbed will ever be you. It won’t fill the void or correct the mistakes I made. I know this deep in my soul. I know that you care and you take care of us. I want to see that today. Please show me. ”Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus…I’ve heard that so many times…but I want it to happen in my timing and in a way I want. I feel like such a petulant child…free me from this heartache.
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Gary says:
I’ve really had to trust God to take care of me since moving to Bangkok. More often than not it’s been lonely, confusing, and God has seemed distant. It’s in those times that I’ve had to lean on God’s Word, trusting that it stands and will not change. “Truth over emotions” is another way of putting it.
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Logan says:
I don’t think it’s just me that finds it difficult to put full trust in God. When you’re used to doing everything yourself, it’s difficult to trust anyone to deliver you when times get hard. But God always delivers, and He is our true salvation. To trust in Him completely is the best decision one can make.
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Micah McIlvain says:
This definitely feels like the theme of our family right now. Being unemployed and having unemployment benefits denied has left us with no choice BUT to trust JESUS to meet our needs- and HE has, every single day. This season of life has made our family very acutely aware of our need to trust Jesus for everything.
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Steve says:
“I will put my trust in him”
I don’t know why these things happen. The tremors of my life that cause me to doubt. To become a victim.
While I still hold some strength, I will trust God that he knows what he’s doing. And there’s a plan. -
David Williams says:
Wow, she went through things far worse than I have, and she never questioned God. Sometimes I tend to wonder or question if what he says is right, but she never did. I think for my betterment I will try harder to not question God, but to welcome his plan and to trust it fully
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Dustin says:
It is so difficult to trust Jesus sometimes. Especially when I feel He is doing “what I think” He should be doing, or when I think He should do it. I get so impatient or hurt when I don’t get my way. But His timing and plans are perfect. I must choose to trust in Christ and to wait patiently on Him. “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.”
In trusting Him, I can find life, rest, joy, and peace. In trusting Him, I can let go and not be consumed by worry or guilt. I choose to trust Jesus. -
Matt says:
Sometimes it is so easy to get lost in what we can do provide ourselves. In times of plenty, in times of need, our society teaches us it is by our hands. But how sweet it is to just trust that the Lord loves us and will provide.
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Menah Wogu says:
Keep the Faith! Trust In Him!
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Kevin Cox says:
Hearing this story I’m pierced by the sorrow of the thought of the suffering she endured. Lord is it sweet to trust in you with so much heartache? Lord when I look at such suffering I honestly doubt your goodness. Lord grant me faith to believe you are good and love. Grant me faith. Help me believe you are good.
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