I MUST TELL JESUS

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,
I MUST TELL JESUS
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22 NIV).
The author of the hymn “I MUST TELL JESUS”, Reverend Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929) was pastor of a church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States, when he visited a woman who had gone through many sorrows and afflictions. The woman was discouraged because of her predicament. With heavy heart she asked Reverend Hoffman what she would do. Hoffman encouraged her from the word of God and concluded that she cannot do better than to take all of her sorrows to Jesus. The woman was for a moment seemed to be lost in meditation, then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus.” As Reverend Hoffman left her home, he was inspired to write the wordings of the hymn.
As the woman exclaimed, Hoffman re-echoed many times in the hymn, “I must tell Jesus.” You must tell Jesus about all your trials because you cannot bear your burdens alone. Because He ever loves and cares for His own He will kindly help you in your distress. You must tell Jesus about all your troubles because He is a kind, compassionate Friend. He will surely deliver you if you ask Him, and quickly put an end to your troubles. The world may be alluring you to evil and tempting your heart to sin. You must tell Jesus, and He will help you to have victory over the world and its temptations.
No matter the situation you are passing through, tell it to Jesus. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37 NIV). You can see similar calls in Psalm 37:5; Isaiah 50:10; 55:1-3; Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7).
This great hymn indeed reminds us of the need to rely on our wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, in every situation and trial of life. I must tell Jesus!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).