A friend of mine asked me to send him the link that was embedded in this Words for the Day post that I sent out quite some time ago. He has a friend who has cancer and faces the uncertainty of life on this planet and felt this would comfort him. I thought I would send it again. I especially hope that it will provide someone much-needed encouragement this morning. The video is a compilation of several street musicians from all over the world performing the song written by Ben Hill, Stand By Me. It is simply put, awesome, and I highly recommend that you watch it.
The words to this song are as follows:
“No matter who you are
And no matter where you go in your life,
Sooner or later you’re gonna need somebody
To stand by you.
No matter how much money you got
Or friends that you may have,
Sooner or later you’re gonna need somebody
To stand by you.
When the night has come and the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No, I won’t be afraid, oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darling, darling, stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry, no, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling, stand by me
Darling, darling, stand by me
Whenever you’re in trouble
Won’t you stand by me, oh, stand by me”
If you read these lyrics and substitute “Jesus” for “darling” it is relevant to every one of us, because just as the lyrics predict, “sooner or later” we’re gonna need somebody, and Jesus is the only one who can and will fill that bill.
When that day comes, and we really need somebody, we have a choice of turning to this world, or to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ will stand by us until the end. He is the one who can wipe away our tears and restore our broken hearts, (Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.)
Do you have anybody who will “stand by you” until the end of time no matter what happens? Someone who will be there through the fierce battles that rage in this difficult life? Someone who not only is with you during the perfect weather and bluebird days but hunkers down with you and rides out those foul nasty storms with you? Someone who will stand by you unconditionally regardless of whatever may come until the very end?
I am a very loyal friend and would be the kind of person that you’d want standing back to back-with you in the worst situation. Indeed there are people in this world that I would take a bullet for and gladly do so. But if someone did me wrong – really wrong, I might be inclined to watch them go down in flames, and not lift a finger to help.
Hmmm . . . Christ isn’t like that. We have all wronged Him, (some greatly, such as me,) but He is willing to forgive and forget and amazingly never gives up on us.
Know anyone in the world like that?
Maybe this will jog your memory . . .
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38
Perhaps you are facing some turmoil in your life. Simply ask Jesus to come into your life today and let Him wipe away those tears and mend that broken heart. The Bible promises that if we’ll humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness for our sins and acknowledge Him for who He is and follow Him, Christ will invite us in to dine with him and allow us to spend eternity in paradise . . . He will stand by us forever . . .
Matt. 28:20
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”