I Must Tell Jesus

Daily Devotional – Sunday, September 24, 2023
…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

Elisha Albright Hoffman was a Presbyterian minister and musician who lived between 1839 and 1929. He is famous for composing over 2,000 hymns and editing more than 50 hymnbooks. His most popular song is arguably ‘I Must Tell Jesus’.

You Must Tell Jesus

Hoffman loved visiting and interacting with poor people in their homes. On one such visit in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, he met a woman in suffering and sadness. The man of God did what any preacher would do. He counseled the distressed mother using Bible verses, but this approach did not work.

The troubled mother kept repeating, “What shall I do?” Right there, Hoffman experienced a Eureka moment. He told her, “You must tell Jesus.” That statement brought a spark to the woman’s face. “Yes!” She exclaimed. “I must tell Jesus!” She went down on her knees, talked to Jesus, and emerged with hope and a bright face.

I Cannot Bear these Burdens Alone

The famous hymn came to life at at that moment. The mother’s words inundated the minister’s mind. He thought deeply about the incident as he went home. By the time he reached his house, Hoffman had the lyrics of the song in place.

If you are going through trouble and uncertainty like the woman whose experience inspired Hoffman to write the hymn, take a moment to meditate on the lyrics and tell Jesus all your troubles.

I Must Tell Jesus
I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
And in my griefs with me He will blend.

Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share,

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus; He will enable
Over the world the vic’try to win.

I Must Tell Jesus

If you feel overwhelmed and confused due to unceasing troubles in your life, heed Apostle Peter’s appeal, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus cares for you. He wants to listen to you. Declare today, “I must tell Jesus all of my trials. I cannot bear these burdens alone.”

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am casting all my cares upon You because I cannot bear my burdens alone, and I know You care.