Song Highlight: Afflicted Saint to Christ Draw Near
This week’s hymn highlight is Afflicted Saint to Christ Draw Near by Constance Dever. This beloved hymn has been a great comfort to many Christians during the trials and sufferings faced in this life. As we see throughout scripture, Christians will suffer for the sake of the Gospel and as a result of living in a fallen world. Christ Himself said in John 16:33b “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (ESV). In that verse, Christ guarantees that suffering will come but He also provides hope and comfort to the sufferer. That hope is that He has overcome the world, is victorious over sin and death, and will come again to make all things new. These are the truths revealed in this hymn.
Verse 1 of the hymn calls the suffering Christian to draw near to Christ and remember the faithful promise found in His word that He will daily strengthen, comfort, and encourage His own. Why would we turn to anyone or anything else? Only He can truly strengthen our weary souls. Verse 2 reminds us that our faith is often found weak amid the strength of our foes. The battle may seem long and full woe, but even still the enemy flees before the presence of the Lord. Because the evil one has no hold on Christ, he has no hold on us. Verse 3 calls us to continually trust in the faithful name of Jesus amid the raging persecution of the world. In the midst of the fiery trials of life, the believer will see Christ more clearly and be strengthened daily by His promised presence. Lastly, verse 4 is a final reminder that no matter what our life may entail, whether it be great suffering, pain, poverty, sorrow, affliction, or loss, the grace of God is far greater than any trial we endure. No matter what hardships we face, we can truly sing with great joy even amid our darkest affliction because God is with us and His grace is greater than our sin and the sins of this world. The battle in our hearts may be fierce, but in Christ we are already victorious. And because we are victorious already, we can be strengthened by grace to press on for we know that He is with us and shall never forsake His own. For however long our
days on earth may be, He is faithful to strengthen and comfort those whom He so dearly loves. Not one of His own will be lost but rather He will see us through this present darkness to the light of glory where we will be with Him forever and ever. What greater joy could we have?
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