I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Refrain
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus. You know, when I sing that it’s like I’m confiding in a good friend. Maybe it’s because I'm just a people person and it comes naturally to open up my heart to someone I care about. You know how it is. It’s so nice to hear words of encouragement from a friend. I love when I hear approval from my husband. Almost everybody engages in these kinds of social bonds – a whole rainbow of hopes and cares flow between you and those you spend time with, those you love. The satisfaction we find in sharing those hopes and cares is a sign of how finite and frail… how human we really are. We are people who need to be opened up to people.
But on the other hand, God is not like that. He holds back lots of things to remind us of his unapproachable majesty. Unlike us, he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. He often remains silent – it’s a silence that tells us he is totally self-sufficient. He doesn’t need our help and, if he chooses, he can accomplish all he desires without the slightest bit of assistance from us, thank you. It’s like the prophet Isaiah who said, “Who did the Lord consult? Who was it who taught him knowledge or the path of understanding?” The answer is, of course, no one. But friend, here’s the marvel: although God is totally self-sufficient and independent from us, he chooses to open up his heart and involve himself in our lives. Psalm 25 tells us, “The Lord confides in those who fear him.” He doesn’t need to, but he shares his secrets when we approach him with respect – and that’s when he gets really personal with us.
I'm overwhelmed at the self-sufficiency of God… but I'm even more overwhelmed when he invites me to tell him everything… and when he assures me that he not only listens but that he really cares. It’s why I sing this hymn. It’s why I must tell Jesus. And you know what? You must too.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends