Haven Ministries, the host of the All About Jesus blog, was started by an unlikely sort, an L.A. radio star named Paul Myers. He was an alcoholic who ended up homeless, found Christ, and then came back to radio to share his new good news on the Haven of Rest broadcast. That show is now called Haven Today.
The word “haven,” the name of the ministry’s devotional, “Anchor,” and the sailboat logo all point to images of the sea, maybe a storm, a boat riding the waves, and a safe harbor. This analogy is no accident, as it is found all over the Bible. We are all riding on a stormy sea now, and Jesus is the only haven, in this life and the next.
But this week, I found another place where the truth of our lot in this sin-filled world is made clear through this analogy. In Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” we see a tempest and a storm turn into healing streams and an eternal fountain of life.
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior,
hide, till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall-
Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.
Memorizing hymns such as these can be a powerful way to shore up your faith when you are low, to preach to yourself when you need help, and to pray to God all day long and all your days. Those who would believe in Him, consider Jesus, lover of your soul and the one who will harbor you now and forever.
Lindsey M. Roberts is the editor of the All About Jesus blog. After seven years in secular journalism, she is thrilled to explore how everything—even doing the dishes—is an opportunity to meet and glorify God. Lindsey lives with her husband and newborn son in Virginia.