The year was 1943. Ruth Caye Jones, a mother of five, and pastor’s wife had been reading 2 Timothy 3:1, which says, “In the last days dangerous times will come.”
In the pages of the paper it was clear that dangerous times were already upon us. The newspaper published an inventory of World War II casualties and covered the slow advancement of Allied troops as they moved through the hills of Italy.
It was a tough time. People were discouraged. Food items like sugar and other items such as gasoline were restricted. (I remember hearing stories about the way churchgoers would offer my grandfather as a pastor coupons for gas rations to enable him to visit sick people and locked-in.)
The tale is that, after reading the passage in 2 Timothy 3:3, Ruth pulled out a pad of notepaper from her apron, and began writing down some words. Although she didn’t have formal musical training but she penned the lyrics as well as the music to the hymn we sing to this day.
One verse says, “In times like these you need a Savior. in times like these, you will require an anchor. Be sure, be sure that your anchor is secure and holds the Solid Rock!” Verse 2 continues “In situations like these, you will need the Bible in moments like these, be not idle. Be certain, be sure that your anchor holds and holds your Solid Rock!”
The third line expressed her personal faith “In situations like these, I have a Savior. in times like these, There is a anchor I’m sure that my anchor is secure and holds The Solid Rock!” Her song reminds us that “This Rock is Jesus, It’s Jesus and this Rock is Jesus The only One! Be sure, be certain that your anchor is firmly gripping The Solid Rock!”
Another track gives the same confidence. A couple, well-known by their dexterous and renowned songwriting, wrote the lyrics and music during difficult times. The couple was expecting their 3rd child. His husband had been recovering from severe illness. The world was turbulent around them – for example, the Vietnam War, racial tension with violence on public spaces, along with a rise in addiction to drugs. They were worried about the type of environment their children would be exposed to when they grew as they grew up.
Gloria Gaither recalls being filled by fear on New Year’s Eve was upon us. Then, she felt an inner peace that was calming. When her son was born and she and the husband of her, Bill had written, “God sent His son to earth, they referred to Him as Jesus who came to heal, love and forgive. He was alive and died to purchase my pardon. A grave empty is there to prove that my Savior is real!”
Two verses expressed their excitement for their son’s birth “How lovely to hold a new baby and be able to feel the joy and pride it brings. But more than the assurance of peace That this baby will face the uncertain future because He is.”
The group declares their faith to God, “Because He lives I’m able to take on tomorrow. because He is the only one who lives, all fears are gone, because I am sure He has the future and life is worth living because He is alive.”
We are living in very dangerous times in the world. We aren’t sure what the future will bring. However, we can find comfort in the words of a fellow poet of hymns “I don’t know the future however I am sure who has my back.”
HTML0 — Jan White has compiled a collection of her columns in her book “Everyday faith for Daily Life.”
The article COLUMN: Hymns penned during turbulent times appeared at The Andalusia Star-News.
