Inspirational Readings 57 Songs: Devotional of Beloved Hymns Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

The secret of leaning on Jesus came while I was a young girl under my grandmother’s tutelage. 'Leaning on the everlasting arms', is another song that was in Big-mama’s repertoire of hymns she played often. The truth of this hymn didn’t come to me by her frequent playing however. It came by watching her live. Children watch and they learn from what they see.

My grandmother taught me to run to God for whatever it was I needed. Of course as a young girl I could only understand so much and I’m sure all of my prayers before the throne of God were heard but not all were sound requests. In any case, when there was trouble I knew exactly where to turn. Even if I was in trouble for something that I did or was the culprit of, I still knew enough, even as a child to run to Jesus for mercy. Oh, I knew there was mercy, for I'd heard my grandfather preach about it and tell people who were in trouble about the mercy countless times.

I’m grateful to my grandmother for her example, as I watched her do exactly what she gently instructed me to do if there was ever any trouble - “run to Jesus”. She talked to Jesus in the morning, in the middle of the day and at night.

Big-mama had this little daily devotional magazine that she used to read that was well worn. She received a new one every month. When I became an adult, I subscribed to it myself until I thought I had the need for something a lot more meaty for this day and age. But as I write this, I can still recall a few of the devotional magazine’s features that encouraged it’s readers to lean on Jesus. We hardly ever change. We always think we need something a little more, when what we have might be more than sufficient. The overall focus of this little magazine was that of putting all of your hope and trust in Jesus, leaning on Him fully. My grandmother mirrored it perfectly for me. Her example was a lasting life-long lesson.

Like the hymn boldly states, “What a fellowship, What a joy divine”; the fellowship and the joy described through leaning on Jesus is inexpressible. And often like anything too magnificent to describe or explain, this too, has to be experienced first hand. Ironically, one can only come by this inexpressible comforting fellowship and joy, as we encounter the trials and pains of living. Why would we ever need to lean on God’s everlasting arms, if all was going well in our little worlds with our lives, our health, our jobs, our finances or our marriages? We simply wouldn't. There would be no need to if we could do it all ourselves.

*Leaning On The Everlasting Arms - Public Domain

Words by Elisha A. Hoffman 1839-1929 and Anthony J. Showalter 1858-1924
Music by Anthony J. Showalter

What a fellowship, what a joy devine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine. Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, Leaning Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

O, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

*An alternate version of the refrain is traditionally sung by anyone in the church congregation who feels inclined to sing it for the pure joy of it. It's often fun to listen for it while you sing the main part of the hymn.

Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, leaning on the everlasting arms.

We get to know God very well when troubles come into our lives. It’s at those uncertain, chaotic and troubled times that we can see Him clearly. We see God's loving hand and if we're not in denial, we experience our own desperate need for His love. We see His care, and loving arm of support in our human helplessness to change or control any of the circumstances in our lives - all on our own.

Personally, I couldn't survive any measure of time without being able to lean on Him and I’m grateful I don’t have to.

I hope every reader has the privilege of having and knowing the reality of this kind of love. It is real, it’s free and available to anyone, from God who loves us and who will always love us. Just tell Him that you're tired of doing it all on your own. He'll hear you. God will answer any sincere cry for help.

Have a blessed and peaceful week!

© Barb Johnson