Jesus is mine

“I am my lover’s and my lover is mine.” Song of Songs 6:3

Have you ever heard about the Toddler’s Creed? It goes like this, “That toy is mine! This chocolate is mine! She’s my best friend! All mine!” Looking at a toddler’s possessive nature, I wonder if we, as adults, have ever considered Jesus in the same terms. On a day-to-day basis, how real is this truth in our lives, that the Lord of the universe is ‘mine’? Even though we know we belong to Him, and He to us, our tendency is to forget how safe, rich and blessed we are because we are in Him. Instead, we run constantly to worldly pleasures and people in search of the same satisfaction.

The song Jesus is Mine, written by Matt Merker and Jordan Kauflin in 2018, is based on the hymn ‘Fade, Fade, Each Earthly Joy’ by Jane Catherine Bonar. After losing her father at the age of 10, Jane moved to a home in Edinburgh. Eight years later, she lost her sister Mary and soon after that, her elder brother died. In 1843, she married Horatius Bonar and wrote this hymn (originally titled ‘Jesus, All in All’) in the same year, for which she is chiefly remembered. They were married for over 40 years and, during that time, Jane supported her husband, and shared in life’s joys and sorrows together with him, including the deaths of five of their nine children. Although she rests with the Lord today, her hymn still lives on to express the sentiments of all of Christ’s true followers.

An assured resting place

Fade, fade, each earthly joy;
Jesus is mine
Stronger than fleeting hopes,
Jesus is mine
Dark is the wilderness,
Earth has no resting place,
Jesus alone can bless;
Jesus is mine

How wonderful that we share this intimate fellowship with our Lord, not just here on earth but in eternity too! The things of this earth are perishable, here today and gone tomorrow. Knowing that this world is not our home gives us perspective. It enables us to set our eyes on the things above — the things that matter after death, things that are eternal. No earthly joy can compare to what the Lord has kept for His children in eternity. 

Knowing that this world is not our home gives us perspective. It enables us to set our eyes on the things that matter… things that are eternal

Every day when I go to sleep, I am aware that this resting place is but for a moment. Tomorrow is another day, when I’ll have to wake up and deal with city’s hustle and bustle. And then I am reminded of Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I’m not saying that life gets easier — but the weight of my restlessness draws me closer to the rest I find in Jesus. It’s a rest that gives me assurance to face my tomorrows. A rest that reminds me to slow down. A rest that turns pressures and perplexities into peace.

Sufficiency in Christ

In days of fragile peace,
Jesus is mine
Through tearful nights of grief,
Jesus is mine
His voice commands the storm,
His presence stills my soul,
He will sustain my hope;
Jesus is mine

Chorus:
Jesus is mine,
Jesus is mine,
When all else fails, He still remains;
Jesus is mine

One of the most beloved stories in the Bible is of Jesus calming the storm. Although the disciples were terrified and wondered how Jesus could remain unruffled through it all, the Saviour knew well enough that His voice alone was enough to cease the raging sea.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We’ve all been through moments of fragile peace, when we’re about to break, when we’ve spent nights crying ourselves to sleep, when the storm around us threatens to sink our faith. But the point is not the storm nor whether it will pass — it’s Who is there with us. The voyage is not ours; it’s God’s and He steers the boat. He knows the plans He has for us and His presence whispers, “Be still, I’m on your side.”

We place a lot of emphasis on the things of this life. Some parents give their children the best they can, but they still walk away. Some of us take great care of our health, but are still faced with a devastating illness that no amount of money can fix. Some of us are in a constant battle with ourselves, falling into old habits again and again. The songwriters remind us that even when we have nothing else to call our own, Jesus remains.

Goodbye mortality, hello eternity

When, on that final day,
Jesus is mine;
Before His radiant face,
Jesus is mine
Safe in His arms I’ll cling,
Praising my Saviour King,
Forevermore I’ll sing:
“Jesus is mine.”

Twentieth century evangelist and teacher Oswald Chambers once said that the entire human race was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Romans 8:38-39 affirms this: neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God — that’s eternity! We have a wonderful hope that extends beyond our graves into God’s tomorrow. Jesus promised to be with us always, even to the “end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). On that glorious day, when we see His radiant face, and sing His eternal praise, we can cling to Him and say, “Jesus, thank You for being mine.”

Do you feel like life, love, education, careers and friendships have failed you? Maybe you’ve had a rough day, or are going through a stormy patch that seems to have no end. Remember the Saviour who has promised to never leave you. Jesus is yours, and you are His forever.

(Video credits: Videography and keys — Charles John; Vocals — Richa Grace Samuel)