The Lord gave me this hymn to remind me of His unshakeable commitment, to me and to all of us who have leaned on Jesus for repose. At times the story we see unfolding before us may look like a tragedy, and at times it is. But behind the scenes, even by means of tragedy and trouble, He is writing the fuller story, one in which He is both the champion and the incomparable prize.
I've posted the tune below as the second part of a fiddle medley; it begins about one minute in. All three tunes are lovely -- I hope you enjoy the video.
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake."