Nearer My God to Thee

Introduction Written by Sarah Flower Adams, a poet and dramatic stage actress –In 1840 William Fox, her preacher, asked Sarah and her older sister, Eliza, to write a new hymn –The hymn was to be for a new hymnbook he was preparing –And the hymn was to be about the story of Jacob and Esau for a sermon he was preparing Eliza became ill with tuberculosis and Sarah, while ministering to Eliza, also caught TB –They finished the song (Eliza composing the original music) and it was published in 1841 –Eliza died in 1846, and Sarah died in 1848

Overview The song is about our need and desire to be close to God –The song uses language drawn from the story of Jacob and Esau –Gen 28:10-22 After Jacob had tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing, and Esau’s threat to kill Jacob Jacob is leaving home and going to a distant land not knowing what will happen God sends Jacob a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels going up and down And God assures Jacob that He will be with him

Stanza 1 Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Ps 73:28 –Man should desire to be closer to God –God wants man to draw near (James 4:7-10) That which brings us closer to God is often a difficult burden (Mt 16:24-27) –Think of the trials Jacob was heading into As we draw closer, we sing praises to God (Ps 28:6-7) –And our songs should, in turn, help us draw closer to Him

Stanza 2 Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone. Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God to Thee. Jacob is the wanderer mentioned –Some change it to “a wanderer” making it more generic –He was fleeing Esau’s wrath, didn’t have a home, it grew dark, and he rested his head on a stone (Gen 28) We, too, are wanderers here (Heb 11:13-16) We, too, live in a world of darkness and trouble (Job 14:1-2) We, too, should hope and desire (dream) to be nearer to God (Rom 8:23-25)

Stanza 3 There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n; All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given; Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Another reference to Jacob’s dream of the ladder stretched to heaven –Asking God to help us find the way to draw closer (John 14:6) That Way is Christ, like a ladder between heaven and earth –That Way is provided by God’s mercy –As the angels on the ladder showed Jacob the way to approach God The angels rejoice when we obey God and come to Him through His Son (Luke 15:7, 10)

Stanza 4 Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Jacob awoke after his dream and praised God –We, too, should awake with praises (Ps 5:1-3, 108:1-4) Jacob used the very stone of his discomfort to set up a pillar as a memorial which he called Bethel, “house of God” (Gen 28:16-22) –Likewise, we should look at our trials as something that can strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God (James 1:2-4)

Stanza 5 Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Or if, unlike Jacob, we do not live through our trials, but rather die –We will not see death as a sorrow, but rather a release to fly home to heaven (Phil 1:19-23) Forgetting those worries and cares of earthly life Note: the song does not have to mean we will have wings after death, but could be figurative or refer to the wings of angels carrying us (Lk 16:22)

A song of comfort and hope After President James Garfield’s assassination, the band played “Nearer, My God to Thee” as he was buried (1881) After President William McKinley was shot, his last words were, “Nearer, my God, to Thee, e’en though it be a cross,’ has been my constant prayer.” –At 3:30pm September 13, 1901, after 5 minutes of silence across the nation (and even in London), bands everywhere played “Nearer, My God to Thee” as his funeral procession commenced

A song of comfort and hope Jan 21, 1906, the SS Valencia struck a reef in dark stormy waters off Canada’s west coast –Several attempts were made to send word ashore using the 7 life boats aboard (only 2 boats made it ashore, and a third was rescued at sea) –The crew of the 2 nd boat ashore was reported as “well-nigh crazed” by their last sight of the ruined Valencia with the female passengers and children lining the rails singing “Nearer My God to Thee” 37 men survived, 136 people died (including all the women and children)

A song of comfort and hope April 15, 1912, as the RMS Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg –The band is reported to have played “Nearer My God to Thee” –1,517 died (including all the band members), 706 survivors On Nov 12, 2006, upon being told he was now the longest-lived president (passing Ronald Reagan), Gerald Ford said

A song of comfort and hope On Nov 12, 2006, upon being told he was now the longest-lived president (passing Ronald Reagan), Gerald Ford said, –“The length of one’s days matters less than the love of one’s family and friends. I thank God for the gift of every sunrise and, even more, for all the years. He has blessed me with Betty and the children; with our extended family and the friends of a lifetime. That includes countless Americans who, in recent months, have remembered me in their prayers. Your kindness touches me deeply. May God bless you all and may God bless America.” –He died 45 days later –As his casket was removed from the hearse, the band played, “Nearer My God To Thee”

Conclusion Sarah Adams wrote the words –Not only to meet the requirements of a new hymnbook and to accompany a sermon about Jacob –But to comfort her dying sister –Little did she know it would give comfort and hope to so many Do you want to draw nearer to God? –Then come in obedient submission to His word