Stand by Me

Stand by Me

The African -American Pastor Charles A. Tindley wrote the gospel song “Stand By Me” for a congregation who knew what it was to suffer. Many of them had been born and raised in atmosphere of slavery, and Tindley wanted to point them to the one who could alleviate their pain.  Here are the lyrics to his song:

When the storm of life is raging / Stand by me / When the storm of life is raging
 Stand by me / When the world is tossing me / Like a ship upon the sea Thou                      who rulest wind and water / Stand by me

In the midst of tribulation / Stand by me / In the midst of tribulation / Stand by       me / When the hosts of hell assail / And my strength begins to fail / Thou who never lost a battle / Stand by me

In the midst of faults and failures / Stand by me / In the midst of faults and    failures / Stand by me / When I do the best I can / And my friends misunderstand / Thou who knowest all about
me / Stand by me

When I'm growing old and feeble / Stand by me / When I'm growing old and     feeble / Stand by me / When my life becomes a burden / And I'm nearing chilly Jordan / O Thou "Lily of the Valley" / Stand by me. (https://www.negrospirituals.com/songs/stand_by_me.htm)

I can honestly say that I have never known suffering to the magnitude that many of his parishioners faced.  Neither have I known the pain and inconvenience that many believers face worldwide because they own the name of Christ.  Yet, by God’s design I have walked and walking my own valley of pain and loneliness. These past two days have been no exception. Due to the nature of this post, I focus on the events of today.  
I had a dental crisis that necessitated the extraction of a tooth.  I have only had teeth extracted twice in my life.  The last time was for my wisdom teeth at age 15 and I was out cold. The oral surgeon knew it was the only way. The other time was when I was nine and my mother was there to hold my hand throughout the procedure.  I shared those two times with the dental assistant/nurse.  As I was really missing my mother, I realized that there was One who is even nearer to me than mother was that day. Jesus, my Savior was there to stand by me and as the procedure began, I had enough awareness to cry out and say, in my heart, “Stand by me, Lord Jesus.”  I had no visualization of His physical presence, but I knew He was there.
I know that the coming years will bring increased pain and physical weakness.  I am grateful that I have a Savior who will stand by me. I am grateful that the Body of Christ is coming alongside me and that the Lord is giving me the grace to say, “Yes, I do need assistance in this area.”

In these years of life … I know I have One who will stand by me.  Selah and Amen!