In Times Like These

The title of this article is the opening line of an old hymn from the 1940s and it was written during the Second World War. The hymn was written by Ruth C Jones as she considered the perils, the suffering and sorrow of the war.

Today, we still live in perilous and unprecedented times where society has generally strayed and grown further away from God. – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53 v 6)

The line of the hymn continues – “In times like these, we need a Saviour”, and as we consider this who is the hymn writer referring too?  With confidence, the Saviour referenced is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son who came to save that which was lost.

We need not take the word of the hymn writer but the Word of God, the Bible, confirms this “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1 v 15)

We discover from the Bible too why he came, and the New Testament writer confirms “the Father sent the Son to be the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD” (1 John 4 v 14).

The Lord Jesus was born in a place called Bethlehem and was brought up in Nazareth, and he “went about doing good” (Acts 10 v 38). He lived a perfect, sinless life but at the God appointed time was taken by wicked men and crucified upon a Roman cross outside Jerusalem. On the third day he was

triumphantly raised from the dead and after several days was carried up and received back into heaven.

Another verse from the hymn states, “In times like these you need the Bible” and what a wonderful book the Bible is.  We have considered the perfect life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus but have YOU personally accepted the Lord Jesus as YOUR Saviour?

The Bible confirms that “All have sinned” (Romans 3 v 23) and as sinners we are bound to a lost eternity, without hope and definitely “in times like these you need a Saviour”.  The question was asked “What must I do to be saved?” the answer given then is exactly the same today – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16 v 30 and 31)

If you repent of your sin and fully trust in the Lord Jesus Christ you will be able to heartly sing the last verse of this hymn “In times like these I have a Saviour, In times like these I have an anchor, I’m very sure”

So, “In times like these” will YOU take Christ as your Saviour today?

1.
In times like these you need a Saviour
In times like these you need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

Refrain
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One
This Rock is Jesus, the only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

2.
In times like these you need the Bible
In times like these O be not idle
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

3.
In times like these I have a Saviour
In times like these I have an anchor
I’m very sure, I’m very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

Lyrics and music by Ruth C. Jones

Paul Cartwright