Episode Transcript
Hello and welcome to another episode of Worldwide Wonderful Women.
I am your host, Paula Harris, and this podcast is for women who are all about learning how to live in God's divine power. It is produced on behalf of Transformed Worldwide Ministries. Thank you so much for being here.
The title of this episode is “In Times Like These.” During this time, birds are singing in the morning and throughout the day. And so this month I thought that it would be great to share a hymnal written to lift our hearts up in song to the Lord.
What I will do is tell you something briefly about the hymn writer herself, share the hymn, and then give you some words of encouragement for your day.
Again, the hymn for today is entitled, “In Times Like These.” Psalm 31:15 states, “My times are in your hands.”
Ruth K. Jones is the one that penned this hymnal and she was born in 1902 in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania. She is a self-taught pianist and organist. Ruth married Bert Jones and together they worked in the evangelism field. In 1948, they founded a radio ministry in Airy, Pennsylvania, broadcasting a weekly family devotion program from their home called “A Visit with the Jones.”
It is stated that during the fearful days at the height of World War II, when the stress and strain of daily living seemed almost overwhelming, the comforting hymn “In Times Like These” was written. It has been published in 16 hymnals. In the midst of a busy day, this housewife, Ruth, felt a direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit. She stopped her work to quickly put down both words and music just as they were given to her by God.
Since that day, the hymn has been a blessing to countless Christians at special times of need. It has brought comfort during illness, has been used widely at funerals, and has encouraged and changed Christian workers and has drawn many to salvation. Ruth experienced for herself the consolation of the words of this song and how it could bring comfort as she spent time recovering from a serious surgery a few years after writing it. She died on August 18, 1972 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Now, instead of my trying to sing a short part of this song, let me share this hymn being sung by the Cadet Sisters as I saw on YouTube. Please listen.
(Song plays)
I hope you enjoyed that. I thought it was so beautiful that I just had to share that with you.
In times where all kinds of sin are running rampant, we need an anchor to turn to so that we don't drift away from the righteousness established by our heavenly Father. The same is true when personal sorrows or tragedies confront us. Where can we go but to the Lord? How comforting it is to know that we can always flee to Jesus and rest securely on our solid rock.
The scriptures, especially in the Book of Daniel and Revelation, let us know that world conditions will continue to get worse as we approach the end of this age and the return of Jesus Christ. Yet, we as Christians, don't need to be fearful. We don't have to be living each day as if we have no hope. We just need to hold to our conviction that our God is in control, that our God loves us, and that our God sees it all, and that all things are definitely working out for our good.
In Hebrews, Chapter 6:19-20, it says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where Jesus, who went before us, has entered in on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”.
So my sisters, grip and hold tight to our solid rock, which is Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Until our Lord brings us together again, smile, Jesus loves you!
Thank you for listening. To make sure you do not miss any future episodes, please subscribe to our podcast. We want all to be able to live in God's divine power. Also sign up for our monthly newsletter on our website, twmforjesus.org. Please do share our podcast with others and Lord willing, we’ll be together next month.
