NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE

Dearly Beloved, NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE “Then [Jacob] dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:11 NKJV). “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 NKJV). As I was led to base my weekly devotional message on a hymn this week, my mind was on a particular hymn. However, a situation led me to another hymn - NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE. This hymn is one of the popular hymns that I have known and loved since childhood. It was composed by Sarah Flower Adams (1805-1848). Sarah was born on February 22, 1805 in Essex, England. She married William Bridges Adams and moved to London. She was a British actress. Health problems disrupted her plans to continue as an actress. However, as somebody who was nurtured in a home where poetry and songwriting were loved, she found comfort in writing poems and hymns. She wrote the hymn in a week to follow a sermon on Genesis 28:11-19 that recounts the encounter of Jacob in a dream. One event that first made the hymn popular was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. History has it that the band on the ship played the tune of the hymn, and the passengers, all of whom were looking death in the face, joined in singing the hymn. This hymn has to do with the joy and comfort found in being close to God. The first stanza introduces the theme of the hymn, with the repeated phrase “Nearer, my God, to thee.” The story of Jacob and the ladder to heaven, found in Genesis 28:10-22 forms the basis of second through fourth stanzas. Jacob was a wanderer running away from the anger of his twin brother. He rested for the night using a stone as a pillow when he had the dream where God’s angels were descending and ascending on a ladder. God's close connection to Jacob in this story is seen as a form of relief from the darkness and “stony griefs” of his human journey. He woke up and came to the realization that God was nearer to him. The last stanza looks forward to the time when we will come to stand before God in eternal song. God desires to have a closer fellowship with you. As wanderers on this life’s journey, are you aware that He is with you? Are you drawing yourself nearer to Him? Are you drawing yourself nearer to God? James counseled, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (4:8 NKJV). If you do, you will enjoy His eternal presence, safety and comfort. No matter your circumstance, let your aspiration always be to be nearer to God. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Draw me nearer to You, O Lord, in my life’s journey.