This hymn gives so much great insight into the person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is truly a Friend for Sinners, and He, though others may betray us, never will.  And you know what?  He calls us friends too.  Pretty cool to be called a friend of Jesus isn't it?  The second verse of this hymn talks about Jesus as our strength when we are tempted and tried.  And, even though we sometimes fail, He still is our strength.  He is our comforter in sorrow, and our guide through the journey of life, so put your faith in Him!  And, in the last verse, it talks about receiving Christ, and being His.  Well?  Are you Christ's?  Have you received Him?  Put your faith in His death and resurrection?  Is He truly your Savior?  Is He truly your Friend?  I hope the answer is yes.  If it isn't, He is willing right now for you to receive as your Savior, and begin His work in your life as your Friend.        

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Refrain

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

The Christian life can be full of hardships.  And, it's very easy to get anxious and stressed about the Christian life.  I know I do.  And, we do know that our life won't be easy here on earth.  But, there is something that Jesus can give us that helps us through all of this.  Rest.  It is in Him that we are given rest and peace and joy.  For, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus and our knowledge of Him, these trials and hardships don't seem so hard.  Why, because of who Jesus is and what He has done.  His loving heart and His power in our lives gives us peace and comfort as we travel the road of Christianity.  Read this hymn, and I hope it gives you an idea of the rest we can receive in Christ.  Also, strive to get to know Him better.  Read the Gospels, pray to Him, ask Him to draw you into a closer relationship with Him.  He will show you the peace and rest that comes with a relationship with Him.   

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Refrain

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Refrain

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

This is a modern day hymn by Josh Bales.  It's interesting, and I hope you can gain some things from it.  The first verse is a simple praise verse, saying that God reigns in every corner of the earth, and He is worthy of our praise.  The second verse is about other people.  It asks God to provide for those who need help.  I like how he asks God to be merciful to those whose pain we've never felt.  Sometimes, it's really good to pray for those people in other countries that are suffering.  Let's not just pray for those we know.  The third verse is for God's own people, who are doing His work; and those who are persecuted for it.  The last line is great.  In their weakness, be their strength, that they might hope in you.  God is always our strength and salvation, let's not doubt it.  He sees His children and He is their strength to get through the hardships of this broken world.  The fourth verse is about God again, and much of it is a quote from the Lord's Prayer.  But, at the end it affirms that we are waiting to see Christ's face.  I hope we can truly get to a point in our lives where we long to see Christ's face, and we can say with Paul, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Philippians 1:23-24). 

1. There is no place in all the world You do not call Your own.
Creator of all peoples every, nation every tongue.
From every corner of the earth, boundless is Your reign.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, hear us sing Your praise.

2. We Your people call to You, asking for Your help.
God be merciful to those whose pain we've never felt.
Give them rest from worldly sorrow,
Bless them Lord with food to eat.
We ask You, Gentle Shepherd call,
The ones that are Your sheep.

3. All seeing Lord now look to those in city and in field,
Who seek to spread Your fame and love,
this broken world to heal.
See Your persecuted children, soothe their violent wounds.
In their weakness be their strength, that they might hope in You.

4. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may Your kingdom come
In all the earth as it is in heaven, may Your will be done.
In all the world in all our hearts, Jesus You are King.
We wait, we hope, we trust, we know,
Your face we soon shall see.