This comforting hymn is perhaps best known as being one of the final pieces of music played by the band on the RMS Titanic as it was sinking. Some survivors and historians dispute this version of events, so we cannot say for certain. Whatever the case, I certainly hope there were people on board that ship who knew the Lord, or decided to put their faith in Him during those final moments as the ship went down.

“Nearer, my God, to Thee” is based on this week’s Bible reading from Genesis 28. There, we encounter Jacob, who was at a very low point in his life. He was on the run from his brother Esau, who wanted to kill him (Jacob had deceived and tricked his way into obtaining Esau’s privileges and blessing as the firstborn). Jacob was alone, possibly feeling guilty, and worried about what might happen to him.

But amazingly, God had not turned his back on Jacob. He had graciously chosen to bless the whole world through this flawed man and his family. So God appeared to Jacob in a dream, reassuring him of His presence and reiterating His promises. Jacob woke up, knowing that God was near to him even in the midst of danger and turmoil.

We, like Jacob, are by no means perfect. We have all sinned, and deserve to be separated from God forever and cut off from His blessings. Yet because salvation is by His grace alone through faith, and not by our works, we can be assured of eternal life with Him. Hebrews 10:19, 22 says “…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…”

So we are in whether in peace or trouble, at the prime of life or breathing our last, may we gladly find reasons to say with the hymn-writer and all who belong to the Lord:

“still all my song shall be, ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!'”